Military discover hidden weapons stockpile belonging to communist guerrillas
Philippine Army's 105th Infantry Battalion Strikes a Blow Against Insurgents in South Cotabato
In a significant operation, the 105th Infantry Battalion (105IB) of the Philippine Army successfully recovered a cache of high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the New People's Army (NPA) communist rebels in South Cotabato, Philippines. The operations, which took place between July 15 and July 29, 2025, were intelligence-driven and focused, targeting areas in T'boli and adjacent localities.
The 105IB, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Erikzen Dacoco, operates under the 603rd Infantry Brigade. Historically, the NPA has maintained an armed presence in South Cotabato, including T'boli, Lake Sebu, and other localities. Some of the recovered intelligence came from former NPA members who defected and became government militiamen, providing crucial information that enabled these targeted searches.
On July 20, 2025, troops unearthed a cache containing two M16A1 rifles, one bandolier with four steel magazines, and four IEDs in Barangay Tbolok, T'boli. A related operation on July 29 yielded an M-14 rifle, a 40mm grenade launcher, and seven more IEDs in Lacunon village, T'boli. These war materials represented a direct threat to local peace and security as they belonged to active or former NPA combatants.
The discoveries dealt a decisive setback to NPA operations in South Cotabato by directly reducing their firepower and IED capability. The operations enhanced civilian security and helped suppress incidents of violence and terrorism in the province. The cooperation of local communities, especially former supporters of the insurgents, was highlighted as instrumental in these successes.
Brigadier General Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, vowed to sustain intensified, intelligence-driven, and focused military operations to safeguard communities and uphold lasting peace in South Cotabato. He praised the 105IB troops for their operational accomplishments and expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the community.
The 105IB continues active counterinsurgency operations focused on collecting intelligence, locating weapons caches, and engaging remnants of NPA forces. These efforts are part of broader security and peace programs by the Philippine military in Mindanao to prevent the destabilization of local communities. The recovered firearms and IEDs are currently held by the battalion for proper disposition and disposal to prevent reuse by insurgents.
- The government's efforts in Zamboanga, represented by the Philippine Army's 105th Infantry Battalion, are actively engaged in war-and-conflicts against the New People's Army in South Cotabato, as evident in the recent recovery of high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices.
- Political news in Zamboanga is dominated by the success of the 105IB in their intelligence-driven operations, which have significantly reduced the NPA's firepower and IED capability in South Cotabato, enhancing the province's security and suppressing incidents of violence and terrorism.
- The general news from Zamboanga also includes the crime-and-justice aspect, as the recovered weapons from the NPA communist rebels pose a direct threat to local peace and security, and their proper disposition and disposal are crucial to prevent their reuse by insurgents.
