Army uncovers NPA
IED cache in Agusan del Sur
BAGANGA, Davao Oriental, Jun. 11 –
With the help of a concerned citizen who cooperates with government security
forces, the Philippine Army’s 67th Infantry “Agila” Battalion (67IB) under the
10th Infantry “Agila” Division uncovered three Improvised Explosive Devices
(IED) arms cache of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Cogonon, Barangay
Salvacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur on June 9, 2021.
The discovery of the said IED cache,
containing three pieces of dual-purpose type of landmine, was a result of 67IB
Joint Intel and CMO Operations. Authorities said the IED items were buried by
NPA members who are remnants of the weakened Guerilla Front North (WGF) of the
CPP-NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). The IEDs were brought to
the 67IB Headquarters in Barangay Salingcomot, Baganga, Davao Oriental.
“These are the same IEDs that have
killed innocent civilians and security forces in the past that should be
stopped once and for all. The discovery also validates the NPA atrocities that
they recently committed against Filipino hero athlete Kieth Absalon and his 13
year old cousin Nolven Absalon where they were killed by the same NPA IEDs in
Masbate,” said Col. Oliver Maquiling, commander of 701st Infantry ”Kagitingan”
Brigade.
Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commanding
officer of 67IB said that this is a
result of a strong campaign of the government to End Local Communist Armed
Conflict (ELCAC), wherein the citizens themselves say they no longer want the
presence of the communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in their community.
Aquino further commended the Agila
troopers for the successful operation and recognized the efforts of the
concerned citizen who provided information that led to the discovery of the EID
cache.
The 67IB’s passion and commitment to genuinely serve the communities in its Area of Operations is part of the unit's efforts to strategically communicate the Army’s transformation to become world-class that is a source of national pride by 2028 in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR). (67IB, 10ID, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)