Manila: The Philippine Army has recovered firearms after launching an attack against the remnants of the New People's Army (NPA) in the mountains of Llorente, Eastern Samar, on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army's 802nd Brigade, reported in a phone interview that government troops seized the firearms after rebels belonging to the NPA sub-regional committee Sesame fled their hideout following a 20-minute firefight. "Our troops have not seen any casualty at the clash site. They only found abandoned firearms, backpacks containing personal belongings, food items, and cooking utensils," Vestuir stated.

The operation led to the capture of the NPA lair and the recovery of two M16 rifles, one .45 caliber pistol, five long and short magazines of M16 A1, and one magazine of .45 caliber pistol with five rounds of ammunition.

Lt. Col. Eduardo Meclat Jr., commander of the Army's 63rd Infantry Battalion, explained that soldiers launched the operation on the NPA encampment to continuously insulate and protect the communities from threats posed by the NPA remnants in the area. Meclat added, "Through timely intelligence and the active cooperation of the community, government forces were able to pinpoint the NPA's exact location in the area. The successful conduct of the combat operation has proven that the people and the communities are already inhospitable to the armed group."

Vestuir praised the community's determination to maintain peace by preventing the NPA remnants from regaining a foothold and influence in their localities. He noted that the residents are already benefiting from the peace and do not want it disrupted by the presence of NPA remnants.