NPA 'bomb factory' discovered in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - The military discovered on Thursday a “bomb factory” in Man-ay, Davao Oriental believed to be maintained by communist rebels and seized 42 types of items used in creating explosives.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said troops from the 67th Infantry Battalion discovered the cache of explosives while patrolling in Sitio Kalinawan, Barangay Taocanga in Man-ay town.

“This is believed to be a manufactory of improvised landmines. With its discovery, civilian lives have been spared from what was believed to be a massive series of landmining activities of the armed group,” Paniza said in a statement.

Among those recovered were two anti-armor mines, four anti-personnel mines, three-fourth kilogram of white powder, 5.4 kilograms of black powder, seven unfinished anti-personnel mines, six unfinished anti-armor mines, some 500 meters of detonating cord, 14 blasting caps, and 700 containers of liquid explosives.

“We are very lucky in discovering the cache before the armed group used the hidden paraphernalia in creating yet another destructive improvised explosive device. We owe this from the concerned citizens,” Paniza said.

Lt. Col. Reuben Basiao, 67th IB commander, said the cave where the explosives were stored was under the New People’s Army’s Merardo Arce Command.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said the discovery of the bomb factory will reduce the NPA’s capability to launch attacks.

“This (development) will relatively cripple the capability of the NPA to launch atrocities against our citizens,” Oban said.