Drum filled with explosive components dug up in Kalinga

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, GAMU, ISABELA—A drum full of components for a rifle and explosives were dug up by soldiers in the mountains of Pinukpuk town in Kalinga province on Saturday morning (April 29).

The drum contained a barrel of an M16 Armalite rifle, detonating cords, a fuse and what was described as “anti-government documents.” It was recovered in Apatan village with the help of a resident.

Maj. Gen. Paul Atal, commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, said the items may belong to the Komiteng Larangan Guerilla Baggas, a local guerilla unit operating in Kalinga.

“The [barrel] of the M16 Armalite rifle was in good condition, while the subversive documents were mostly teaching materials for propaganda purposes,” Atal said.