Manila, Sept. 11 -- Three high-powered firearms were recovered by troops from the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) and other units under the 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) in an operation conducted in the hinterlands of Barangay Hinapuyan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur, on Wednesday.

In a statement on Thursday, 901Bde Acting Brigade Commander Col. Darius Resuello said the three recovered firearms included two M16 rifles and an AK-47 rifle.

The recovery was made possible by information from two former New People's Army (NPA) combatants who had previously surrendered on separate occasions to the 36IB. The former rebels, identified by their aliases "Rem" and "Jelo", both belonged to the NPA's Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Westland under the Nor...