Military discovers NPA explosives depot in Agusan del Sur

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City — Troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23rd IB) discovered an explosives depot of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) in the hinterland of Barangay Maasin, Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur province, the military reported yesterday.

The 23rd IB troops found the bombs depot at 5 a.m. on Tuesday where the CNTs buried several components aggregates and materials in producing bombs, including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, 23rd IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer 1st Lt. Roel T.

Maglalang told the Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

The discovery of the bomb-making materials was made through a tip provided by concerned residents in the area.

Upon receiving the information, the 23rd IB troops immediately proceeded to the area and found a total of 11 containers of Ammonium Nitrate, blasting caps, 205 rounds ctg, 7.62mm ball, 5 magazines of M14 Rifle, 1 roll firing wire, NPA-issued garments and subversive documents.

The containers of Ammonium Nitrate will be utilized by the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabedad (SRSDG) SAGAY, Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC3) of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) to generate sixty 60 Anti-Personnel Mines (APM), Maglalang said.

Each container contains 23 packs of Ammonium Nitrate which can produce 5 APMs which is a big threat to the residents, he said.

“The residents are also worried that the bombs might hit them. They were also worried that they might be killed in an explosion of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) since it was commonly planted by the NPAs in the roadways that the farmers usually use when they go to their respective farms,” 23rd IB commander Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo said.