7 kilos of improvised bombs seized from ‘rebel hideout’ in Compostela Valley

MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has seized over seven kilos of improvised explosives in a raid on a suspected rebel hideout in Compostela Valley over the weekend.

However, the reported owner of the house, a certain Allan Montecalvo, eluded capture when the police implemented the court-issued search warrant.

CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong said the operation was a follow-up to the arrest of nine members of the New People’s Army who raided the Matanao town police station in Davao del Sur last March. The attack left two policemen dead and three others hurt.

The CIDG conducted the search last Friday night by virtue of two search warrants issued by Judge Ferdinand Villanueva, against Montecalvo, a resident of Barangay (village) Elizalde, Maco town.

The police were ordered by the court to search for illegal explosives, firearms and ammunition at the suspected rebel hideout.

“Acting on a tip by military intelligence, this operation is a bid to prevent pilferage of explosives leading to sabotage by the NPA,” Magalong said in a statement.

He added that they have started preparing charges of illegal possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition against Montecalvo and a certain Jona Aricos, whose nearby house also yielded explosives and ammunition.

Both suspects were at large as of Sunday, police added.

The CIDG led by Senior Inspector Rodel Calo and the Compostela Valley police seized an improvised explosive device weighing one kilo, a cal. 45 magazine without ammunition, a blasting cap with detonating cord, assorted IED components, a bundle of electrical wire, an M14 magazine and 16 rounds of M14 ammunition.

Also recovered were several subversive documents and newspapers and a megaphone.

Magalong noted that the CIDG likewise found a violet bag containing the personal belongings, laptop, and wallet with ID of a Rex Franco, a security guard of Mongoose Security Agency. Franco is reportedly detailed with Apex Mining and was allegedly abducted by rebels last month.

As the CIDG began leaving the area after the search, they noticed a wire leading to an abandoned house owned by Aricos.

The police sought barangay assistance in searching the house, which yielded another IED weighing 6.4 kilos.

Also recovered were 18 rounds of cal. 50 ammunition, a cal. 45 holster, a soldering iron, and assorted medical supplies.

RELATED STORIES

3 soldiers hurt in clash with NPA rebels in Davao del Norte

Mar Roxas ‘pogi’ points in NPA captives’ release turn off ally