MANILA, June 30 (PNA) — Troopers from the 28th Infantry Battalion foiled a New People’s Army (NPA) improvised explosive device (IED) attack with the arrest of a rebel bomber in Pantukan town, Compostela Valley Monday afternoon.
Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief Capt. Alberto Caber identified the suspect as Rito Lucnod.
He was arrested by government security troops while about to detonate two IEDs at Barangay Araibo, Pantukan town at 2:45 p.m.
Seized from his possession were two IEDs, blasting caps, triggering devices, and 100 meters of electric wire.
Appropriate charges are now being prepared against him.
28th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col Benjamin Daniel Tianco said that the botched IED attack is part of the NPAs’ harassment tactics against residents living in the area.
As of Jan. 1 to June 30, the Eastern Mindanao Command has seized 56 unexploded rebel IEDs. (PNA)