Explosives found in Reds’ bunkers

CAMP OSITO BAHI-AN, Malaybalay City — Government troops found explosives in New People’s Army (NPA) bunkers in a hinterland village here in a continuing offensive against communist guerrillas since June 10.

Men of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Battalion seized 120 superdyne explosives kept in plastic containers in 194 bunkers of the rebels in Barangay Busdi, about 55 kilometers away from this city.

The military offensive has forced a growing number of villagers to flee their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

A junior military officer has been killed and three other soldiers have been wounded in the military’s campaign to dislodge some 80 rebels from their stronghold in the Malaybalay hinterland.

Meanwhile, two soldiers belonging to the Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade were wounded in an NPA ambush in Magdalena, Laguna last Friday. — Ben Serrano, Roel Pareño and Ed Amoroso