THE police have discovered 12 assorted firearms stashed by the New People's Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Maitum town, Sarangani Province, a top official said Friday.

BGen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office director for Soccsksargen Region (PRO-12), said firearms were unearthed on Thursday in Batian village in the said town, following a tip from a concerned civilian.

'This success is the result of our unwavering efforts to bring peace and security to the communities through the government initiatives such as the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict,' Macaraeg said.

A team of police officers from the PRO-12 and the Maitum Municipal Police Office have recovered 10 revolvers of various calibers, a .45 caliber pistol, a 9 mm Uzi submachine gun and various ammunition.

Also recovered were containers filled with rice believed to be stacked by members of the NPA Guerrilla Front 73 operating in the province.

PRO-12's areas of responsibility include South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani; and the cities of Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos.

Meanwhile, three NPA rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Sen. Ninoy Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat Province, the military said Friday.

LtCol. Frederick Chicote, the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion commander, said the remains of three NPA fighters, who all remain unidentified, were turned over to Sen. Ninoy Aquino officials for identification by relatives.

Government forces also recovered four M16 rifles, grenades, ammunition and personal belongings from the slain rebels following a brief firefight in Banali village on Thursday.

'No casualty was reported on the government side,' Chicote said.

BGen. Michael Santos, commander of the Army's 603rd Infantry Brigade in the province, said the rebels belong to the NPA Guerilla Front 73 operating in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani.

Santos added that military clearing operations are still ongoing.