NPA Explosive Factory Discovered

Official Philippine Army Press Release


Date Released: 29 Sep 2009

At the height of the rescue and relief operations in Metro Manila areas and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Rizal and Laguna, wherein almost 1,000 Army personnel were deployed to help the victims of tropical depression Ondoy, elements of the 82nd Infantry Battalion, on the other hand, discovered a New People's Army explosive factory in Igbaras, Iloilo.

Reports reaching the Philippine Army headquarters from field unit disclosed that one company of the 82nd IB, found what appeared to be improvised steel ovens used for the preparation of ammonium nitrate, a key component in the creation of explosives and improvised explosive devices.

Also found within the area were containers of diesel fuel, bags of commercial fertilizer, and several cords of detonation cord, all of which are necessary in the manufacture of improvised anti-personal mines. According to Lt Col George Joel Lalaquil, 82nd IB commander, the three steel ovens were used to prepare mixtures of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO), commonly known as improvised fertilizer bombs, a high explosive used in the production of landmines.

The Igbaras rebel camp was established as the local terrorist group’s Explosive Laboratory in Panay. This discovery denied the NPA rebels the capability to launch attacks using illegal explosives.

It can be recalled that a week ago, the same battalion, discovered a stockpile of landmines, ammunition, and assorted items left behind by fleeing NPAs in a rebel camp in Sitio Tigbasa, Brgy Tigbanaba, Igbaras. It is also responsible for the capture of two NPA rebels facing rebellion charges at the Regional Trial Court of Guimbal Iloilo.

The 82nd IB is one of the three battalions recently activated to address the remaining threats of communist insurgency in the country before 2010 ends.