THREE improvised explosive devices recovered in Gattaran, Cagayan

Gattaran, Cagayan - The joint forces of the 95th Infantry (Salaknib) Battalion and the 17th Infantry Battalion recovered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) following a successful operation they conducted at around 8:30 AM on October 2, 2025 in Gattaran.

The 95th Infantry Salaknib Battalion said the IEDs were discovered when they entered a former encampment of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KRCV) site. The devices had an estimated weight of four kilograms.

Said devices, according to the Department of Homeland Security, had many forms — from a simple pipe bomb to a complex, high‑yield explosive capable of causing large‑scale casualties. These are usually used by criminals, vandals, terrorists, suicide bombers, and insurgents.

The explosives were promptly turned over to authorities for proper documentation and safe disposal.

On March 11, 2025, the same types of explosive were also found following a counterinsurgency operation by the 2nd Cagayan Provincial Mobile Force Company in Brgy. Villa Cielo, Buguey, Cagayan.

The operation was carried out after a former Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) member mentioned a suspected weapons cache in the area. The recovered items included an M79 grenade launcher, a fragmentation grenade, and three blasting caps, among others.

Later in May, another set of arms cache buried inside a yellow pail were discovered in San Mariano, Isabela through the joint effort of government forces of Region 2. The items found included two booby trap IED dynamites, One Anti-Tank Improvised Explosive Device (KATTO), One AK-47 Magazine and three Magazine Springs, among others.

In an effort to help preserve peace and ensure the safety of communities in the region, continuous operations by the Philippine Army are being conducted.