CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal — Soldiers from the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division recovered a cache of firearms allegedly belonging to the New People's Army (NPA) in General Nakar, Quezon, on Friday, May 8, 2026, following information provided by concerned residents in the area.
The operation was conducted by troops of the 80th Infantry (Steadfast) Battalion at Sitio Madaraki in Barangay Umiray, acting on a tip from local community members who disclosed the location of war materiel reportedly hidden by the armed group within their village.
The recovery underscores what military commanders described as a growing willingness among rural communities to cooperate with security forces in rooting out armed groups operating in remote areas of Southern Tagalog.
Three Firearms Recovered at Sitio Madaraki
According to reports from the 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, the following items were seized from the site:
- One caliber .30 rifle
- One caliber .45 pistol
- One improvised shotgun
The weapons were found hidden in Sitio Madaraki, a remote community situated within Barangay Umiray in the mountainous municipality of General Nakar, which lies in the Quezon province portion of the Sierra Madre mountain range — an area historically associated with NPA activity in the Southern Tagalog region.
Military officials confirmed that focused military operations were immediately launched upon receipt of the community tip, allowing soldiers to move swiftly and secure the cache before it could be relocated or used by armed elements.
202nd Brigade Commander Cites Risk the Weapons Posed to Civilians
Brigadier General Ernest John C. Jadloc, Commander of the 202nd Infantry "Unifier" Brigade, said the recovery of the firearms was a direct result of the trust that communities have placed in the Philippine Army and the willingness of residents to act on that trust.
"These recovered weapons could have been used for violence, intimidation, or other unlawful activities. Their recovery is an important step in preventing the armed groups to threaten communities," Brig. Gen. Jadloc said.
Jadloc emphasized that the success of the operation was not the result of military effort alone, but of a sustained partnership between the armed forces and the communities they serve. He noted that continued coordination between security forces and residents remains essential in preventing armed groups from rebuilding their influence in remote and geographically isolated barangays.
The brigade commander said that armed groups often use isolated sitios and upland communities to store equipment, recruit members, and regroup after military pressure — making community vigilance a critical layer of defense against the NPA's operational capacity.
2ID Commander Major General Zagala Points to Broader Public Rejection of Armed Groups
Major General Ramon P. Zagala, Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, described the operation as evidence of a broader trend: communities in Southern Tagalog are increasingly choosing peace over armed struggle.
"This accomplishment shows that our communities are increasingly rejecting the presence of armed groups and are choosing to work with authorities in protecting peace and security," Major General Zagala said.
Zagala encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and to continue sharing information with military and law enforcement authorities whenever they become aware of illegal activities or the presence of armed individuals in their communities.
He reiterated that the Philippine Army treats such cooperation as a cornerstone of its internal peace and security operations, and that the safety of community members who provide tips is a priority concern for the 2nd Infantry Division.
General Nakar Among Historically Active NPA Areas in Quezon
General Nakar is a landlocked municipality in Quezon Province bordering the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija. Its forested and mountainous terrain, much of it within or adjacent to the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park corridor, has historically made it a transit and staging ground for NPA units operating across Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon.
The 2nd Infantry Division, headquartered at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, holds operational responsibility over Southern Tagalog — a region comprising the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and the island provinces of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been designated a terrorist organization by the Philippine government. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been conducting sustained operations aimed at dismantling NPA units, recovering weapons, and facilitating the surrender and reintegration of former rebels under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Army Reaffirms Commitment to Peace in Southern Tagalog
In its official statement released through the Division Public Affairs Office and attributed to Col. Michael T. Aquino, Acting Chief of the Division Public Affairs Office, the 2nd Infantry Division said it remains committed to sustained security operations and community engagement efforts in support of lasting peace and stability across its area of responsibility.
The division said it will continue to conduct focused military operations in areas where armed groups remain active, and that it will work closely with local government units, barangay officials, and civilian communities to prevent the re-establishment of NPA influence in vulnerable areas.
Military officials also called on local residents who may have knowledge of hidden arms caches, NPA safe houses, or the movement of armed individuals to report such information to the nearest military detachment, police station, or through official AFP hotlines — assuring the public that all reports will be handled with strict confidentiality.
The May 8 operation in General Nakar is the latest in a series of arms recoveries conducted by units under the 2nd Infantry Division in recent months as part of the AFP's ongoing internal security operations in Southern Tagalog.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army / 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office