Govt troops defuse yet another IED in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 26): Govt troops defuse yet another IED in Bukidnon

KITAOTAO, Bukidnon -- Troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army defused and recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) around 8:00 a.m. on September 25, 2015, along a foot trail in the hinter barangay of White Kulaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

The incident transpired when an anxious local resident reported to the military who are deployed in the area that an IED was planted by suspected NPA rebels along the foot trail going to Sitio Division of said barangay.

The troops were prompt in responding to the report and defused the said IED.

Moreover, the troops also recovered a 500 meters detonating wire, 5 blasting caps and one (1) detonator switch from the area where the IED was planted.

It can be recalled that on August 26, 2015, a law enforcement operation was conducted in the said area which resulted to the recovery of high powered firearms, explosives, IED paraphernalia, ammunition, blasting caps, detonating cords, detonator switches and numerous subversive documents belonging to the communists New People's Army (NPA) and the discovery of an NPA IED factory and training facility.

The incident also led to the arrest of 13 local residents who were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and rebellion cases. These individuals have been reported to be in connivance with the NPA rebels.

The Regional Trial Court of Malaybalay City dismissed the case, however, due to "lack of probable cause." This has led to the release of the 13 detainees on September 22, 2015, around 6:00 p.m., from the custody of the Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Malaybalay City.
 
Ltc Lennon G Babilonia INF (GSC) PA, commanding oof the 8th Infantry Battalion, has commended the vigilance of the local residents of Brgy. White Kulaman in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, while he challenged the leaders of the NPA in the area to spare the lives of civilians from being subjected to the threats of IEDs.

"We would like to commend the cooperation and the vigilance of the people of White Kulaman. Yesterday was another fruitful day for our united efforts in trying to transform the barangay back to a peaceful community from being an NPA war zone. Let the blindness of the leaders of the NPA be cured by these recent turn of events where their minions made clear violations of the CARHRIHL and the IHL by emplacing dangerous explosives within the community and basically turning the barangay into a military base. Obviously, it is these rebels who have militarized these communities - an issue that progressive groups supporting the NPA have been accusing the military with," said Babilonia.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1461443485612/govt-troops-defuse-yet-another-ied-in-bukidnon