By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Philippine Army 15th Infantry Battalion forces, along with counterpart units from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, stormed a factory in Sipalay City’s Barangay Camindangan last Sunday. The facility was believed to have been used by the New People’s Army (NPA) to produce improvised explosive devices (IED).
Police made three arrests from the operation. 34-year-old Roberto Tingson and 38-year-old Jory Mate, both residents of the said city and alleged members of the NPA’s Yunit Militia, were both taken into custody alongside an individual only identified by the alias ‘Amado,’ who is reported to be the factory’s IED expert.
Based on a joint statement issued by the police and military, they received an intelligence report surrounding a supposed IED manufacturing camp in the area, prompting them to initiate an operation called “Oplan: Branstark III.” Upon arrival, a gun battle ensued for at least 10 minutes between government forces and five NPA insurgents serving as guards until the latter were forced to flee into the dense jungle near the site.
Police then made the three arrests, while two residents living nearby were invited to the police station for further questioning.
There were no fatalities reported among government forces.
Authorities seized five sets of live IEDs, IED materials and components weighing almost two kilograms, several other bomb making materials, blasting caps, three radios, assorted ammunition, several firearms, and subversive documents.
The three arrested suspects faces charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and are presently under the custody of the Sipalay City Police Station./DGB, WDJ