Troops seize IEDs from NPA hideout

From the Manila Times (Oct 4): Troops seize IEDs from NPA hideout

Security forces raided a communist rebel hideout and seized improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in southern Philippines where insurgents also stormed a trader’s house and confiscated his automatic pistol.

Security officials said members of the 1st Marine Brigade and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency recovered three improvised explosives during an operation on Tuesday in the village of Kiponget in Sultan Kudarat’s Palimbang town.

But soldiers failed to capture any member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hideout, which is being used by rebel leaders Bobo Fernandez and Ofelia Buanhog, of Guerrilla Front 73.
Troops managed to locate the camp after civilians tipped off the military about the place that had been frequented by armed men.

Soldiers also seized anti-government propaganda.

“The operation was the result of the sustained focused military operation against the local threat group,” according to Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division.

But other communist rebels also struck on Tuesday on the other side of the region and raided a house belonging to Bobby Calo, who owns a hardware store and coconut farm in the town of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte province.

 Calo is being accused by the NPA of maltreating his employees.

Omar Ibarra, a rebel spokesman, said they confiscated Calo’s automatic pistol and warned him to treat his employees fairly.

“His workers had been complaining against his brutal and abusive conduct, such as beating his workers while at the field. Yet, he perpetuated such act. Hence, the Red fighters of NPA-WANAS made this decisive action,” Ibarra added.

The Red fighters seized a Glock-40 from Calo.

His long rifle was not confiscated as he kept it in another place, Ibarra said.

The NPA has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a separate state.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered troops to destroy the rebel group after government peace talks with the insurgents collapsed.

https://www.manilatimes.net/troops-seize-ieds-from-npa-hideout/448049/