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ARMY UNCOVERS NPA IED CACHE IN AGUSAN DEL SUR
With the help of a concerned citizen who cooperates with government security forces, the Philippine Army’s 67th Infantry “Agila” Battalion (67IB) under the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division uncovered three Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) arms cache of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Cogonon, Barangay Salvacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur on June 9, 2021.
The discovery of the said IED cache, containing three pieces of dual-purpose type of landmine, was a result of 67IB Joint Intel and CMO Operations. Authorities said the IED items were buried by NPA members who are remnants of the weakened Guerilla Front North (WGF) of the CPP-NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). The IEDs were brought to the 67IB Headquarters in Barangay Salingcomot, Baganga, Davao Oriental.
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“These are the same IEDs that have killed innocent civilians and security forces in the past that should be stopped once and for all. The discovery also validates the NPA atrocities that
they recently committed against Filipino hero athlete Kieth Absalon and his 13 year old cousin Nolven Absalon where they were killed by the same NPA IEDs in Masbate,” said Col. Oliver Maquiling, commander of 701st Infantry ”Kagitingan” Brigade.
Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commanding officer of 67IB said that this is a result of a strong campaign of the government to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), wherein the citizens themselves say they no longer want the presence of the communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in their community.
Aquino further commended the Agila troopers for the successful operation and recognized the efforts of the concerned citizen who provided information that led to the discovery of the EID cache.
“This reflects the peoples’ trust in the government security forces. Now, the people who form the backbone of peace and harmony in the community have already realized that there is nothing to gain in the 52 years of communist armed struggle that greatly affected development in their area,” Aquino added.
The 67IB’s passion and commitment to genuinely serve the communities in its Area of Operations is part of the unit’s efforts to strategically communicate the Army’s transformation to become world-class that is a source of national pride by 2028 in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR). (67IB, 10ID, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
