Rebel camp yields bombs

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines – Army troopers recovered several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) believed left behind by communist rebels following a firefight in T’boli, South Cotabato on Monday.

Authorities expressed belief the rebels were planning to plant the IEDs along roads and other public places, such as terminals and markets.

Lt. Col. Ronald Alcudia, chief of the Army 27th Infantry Battalion, said the explosives were found at a camp where his men and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas figured in a firefight for an hour.

The encounter erupted when the rebels shot at a team of soldiers dispatched to verify the reported presence of armed men mulcting peasants in Barangay Lakunon.

Villagers have long been complaining of the extortion activities of the rebels.

Alcudia said his men will continue patrolling areas vulnerable to NPA attacks.