Troops find alleged NPA mine depot in Agusan del Sur

June 24, 2020

Government troops discovered an alleged New People's Army (NPA) anti-personnel mines (APM) depot in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday.

1st Lt. Roel Maglalang, civil military officer of the 23rd Infantry Battalion, said the depot buried in the hinterland of Barangay Maasin, Esperanza municipality was discovered around 5 am.

"The discovery of the bomb-making materials was made through a tip by concerned residents in the area who are already tired of the continued extortion, manipulation, recruitment and inhumane activities of the CNTs (communist terrorist) in their barangay," he said.

Maglalang said  troops of the 23rd Infantry Battalion immediately proceeded to the area to verify the reports.

"Upon reaching the given location, the troops of 23rd IB seized a total of 11 containers of ammonium nitrate; two blasting caps; 205 rounds Ctg; 7.62mm ball; five magazines of M-14 rifle; one roll firing wire; NPA-issued garments; and subversive documents," he said.

Maglalang said the "containers of ammonium nitrate will be utilized by the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabedad (SRSDG) Sagay, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) to generate 60 anti-personnel mines."

"Each container contains 23 packs of ammonium nitrate which can produce five APMs ( Anti-Personnel Mines) which is a big threat to the residents," he said.

"They (residents) were also worried that they might be killed in an explosion of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) since it was commonly planted by the NPAs in the road ways that the farmers usually use when they go to their respective farms. It is the main reason why they reported it to the Army," he added. Robina Asido/DMS