Army says it foiled rebels’ landmine planting plot

From The Daily Guardian (Mar 19, 2019): Army says it foiled rebels’ landmine planting plot

The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion said it foiled the New People’s Army (NPA)’s plan to plant landmines after another armed clash between the two groups.

The latest encounter happened 6 a.m. of March 19, 2019 at Barangay Osorio 1, San Remigio, Antique.

Soldiers from the 61st IB and CAFGU Active Auxiliary were patrolling the area when they encountered an undetermined number of rebels.

Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr., 61st IB commander, said a five-minute firefight occurred before the rebels retreated.

“We believe they have plans to set up landmines and ambush government troops,” Magbalot said.

No one was killed or wounded among government troopers.

Recovered from the area were materials used for making improvised explosive device (IED) and empty shells of various firearms.

Meanwhile, Magbalot expressed alarm over the perceived “mass production” of IEDs by the NPA that were left at the house of their alleged militiamen.

Nine IEDs, weighing around nine kilos each, were seized after the March 17 encounter at Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo.

Also recovered were forty pieces of calibre 5.56 mm ammunition shells, nine pieces of calibre 7.62 mm cartriges, an undetermined device made of sealed orange pipe, and a black pistol holster.

But the NPA’s Coronacion Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command labeled the encounter in Igbaras as fake news.

Magbalot laughed it off and challenged the rebels to explain the big IEDs seized from their supporter’s abode.

“Ipaliwanag nyo kung fake din ba ang mga anti-personnel landmine na na-recover,” Magbalot said.

The 61st IB commander said the public should expect more encounters between their troops and the NPA rebels.

“It is to be expected because we have been on active offense mode as the NPA anniversary nears,” he said.

The NPA will celebrate its 50th founding anniversary on March 29.

On top of that, Magbalot said the continuous outpour of information from the community made it possible for them to track the rebels’ path.

https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/army-says-it-foiled-rebels-landmine-planting-plot/