Army troops find rebel arms cache in Ilocos Sur

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela – Troops seized an arms cache abandoned by a band of armed men believed to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a remote barangay in Ilocos Sur yesterday.

Reports from the 5th Infantry Division headquarters here said Col. Harold Cabreros, Army 50th Infantry Battalion commander, and his men encountered the suspected rebels near Mount Ambaiget, Barangay Baracbac in Galimuyod town in Ilocos Sur at around 8 a.m.

Reports said the soldiers found three M16 rifles, five bandoliers with a total of 26 M16 magazines, seven rounds of ammunition for M204 grenade launcher, explosive devices consisting of wires with fuse, blasting caps, batteries, a timing device and 2 meters detonating cord.

They also seized 12 compact disks, three candles, a lighter, a voltage regulator and various subversive documents, reports added.

Troops are still scouring the area for other arms caches or materials that the armed men may have left behind.

Last month, troops clashed with around 12 NPA rebels near the Ilocos Sur and Benguet boundary. – Charlie Lagasca