Joint elements of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, and the Public Safety Company of the Philippine National Police (PNP) discovered a landmine cache owned by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

According to Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincon), the troops were on their third day of law enforcement operations in Barangay White Kulaman when they unearthed the cache at around 6 p.m. last Friday.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by concerned residents about alleged NPA abuses in the area perpetrated by the village folks who have been influenced by the rebels.

The residents submitted an affidavit of complaint to the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental, which issued a search warrant that was implemented by the combined AFP and PNP troops.

Recovered were one M16 rifle; six unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 60 pieces of blasting caps; 900 meters of dangerous explosive detonating chord; eight pieces IED molders; half kilo of sulfur powder; one lower receiver of cal .45 pistol; subversive documents; and NPA flag,

Four of the IEDs were found planted along the populated areas.

Meanwhile, 8IB commander Lt. Col. Lennon Babilonia said the recovered cache is a clear indication that the communist group has been militarizing the community.

“We call upon the NPA rebels and their leaders to stop arming the barangay folk and quit emplacing landmines and IEDs within the communities,” Babilonia said.