Surigao del sur: Government troopers recovered high-powered firearms concealed by communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels on the periphery of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, three AK-47 rifles with magazines were recovered by the troops of the Army's 75th Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Special Forces Battalion under the 401st Infantry Brigade (401Bde) in Sitio Panukmuan, Barangay Diatagon on Thursday.

The recovery of the firearms was made possible following the information provided by a former NPA combatant who recently surrendered, the 4ID added. The 4ID noted that the revelation was part of the former rebel's commitment to support the government's peace and security efforts.

Col. Glenn Joy Aynera, the acting commander of 401Bde, stated that the recovered firearms were intended for armed activities of the NPA remnants operating in the area. He emphasized that recovering high-powered firearms not only deprives the NPA rebels of their weapons of violence but also signals a decline in popular support and internal unity among the remaining members.