Government forces scored a significant victory against insurgency as a joint military and police operation uncovered a hidden cache of firearms and explosives believed to belong to the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Exciban, Labo, Camarines Norte.

The operation, conducted at around 8:45 a.m., was led by the 16th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 201st Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, in coordination with the 17th Scout Ranger Company, PNP Special Action Force units, and local police, including the Camarines Norte 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company and Labo Municipal Police Station.

Authorities revealed that the discovery was made possible through intelligence reports from concerned citizens, underscoring strong community support for the government's peace and security efforts.

Recovered from the site were:

• 1 Ultimax 5.56mm Light Machine Gun

• 1 M653 5.56mm Rifle

• 1 M14 7.62mm Rifle

• 7 M16A1 5.56mm Rifles

• 6 M14 magazines

• 8 assorted 5.56mm magazines

• 2 rolls of detonating cord

• 6 improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

• 4,211 rounds of M16 ammunition

• 715 rounds of M14 ammunition

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The seized IEDs and components are considered violations of Republic Act No. 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Military officials said the operation dealt a major blow to remaining members of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya 1 (KLG1) under the NPA’s Bicol Regional Party Committee, further weakening the group’s operational capability and influence in the region.

All recovered items are currently in the custody of the 16th Infantry Battalion for proper documentation and forensic examination.