THE 65TH Infantry Battalion seized a cache of anti-personnel mine, ammunition, and other supplies believed to be owned by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Kolambugan, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, on Aug. 18.
Second Lieutenant Anne Aclan, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the 65th Infantry Battalion under the 402nd Infantry Brigade, said soldiers seized a 2.5HP generator set; 15 rounds of 5.56mm ball for M16A1; 30 rounds ammo for AK45; 15 rounds ammo for Cal. 50; two magazines for M16A1; a magazine for AK47; 125 pieces of blasting caps; 150 meters of detonating cord; 20 kilos of explosive materials, and various subversive documents.
The army said the discovery of the cache was a result of the tip volunteered by concerned residents.
Aclan said the recovery of anti-personnel mines clearly indicated that the communist insurgents continue to defy the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) as part of “their attempt to intimidate the local populace who are now denouncing their presence in the area.”
Moreover, Lt Col Michel Mortejo, the 65IB commanding officer, vowed to ensure the safety of the residents.
“Intensified operations and activities of the Army against the recovery efforts of the counter-terrorist groups will continue and that the troops along with other government agencies stand in the frontline to secure the area against any form of terrorism,” Mortejo added.
Photo courtesy of 4th Infantry Division
