Improvised explosive device found after Army, NPA clashed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY— The military found an improvised explosive device (IED) with a 100-meter detonating cord in an area where soldiers and suspected New People’s Army rebels clashed in Mulanay town in Quezon province on Sunday.

First Lieutenant Felise Vida Solano, the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) public information officer, said Monday that soldiers from the Army’s 85th Infantry Battalion encountered a band of communist guerrillas in Barangay Burgos around 9:30 a.m.

Quoting a report from Lt. Colonel Ely Tono, 85th IB commander, Solano said a concerned citizen notified the military on the NPA’s presence in the area. The rebels were allegedly conducting “terroristic activities” in the village.

While heading towards the area, the soldiers encountered the rebels, which triggered a 10-minute firefight. The insurgents retreated shortly after.

During clearing operation, the soldiers found the explosive. There were no reported casualties on the government side.

The military claimed that some of the rebels sustained gunshot wounds based on the information provided by the villagers along the escape route.

Solano said they were still validating if the NPA’s presence and activities in the area were in preparation for the collection of the so-called “permit to campaign” (PTC) fee from politicians who will be running in next year’s elections. /ee