Information provided by a concerned citizen led the Philippine Army and the Catanduanes police to successfully recover five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) hidden in a secluded area of barangay Bislig in San Andres last Easter Sunday.
In a significant display of inter-agency cooperation and community vigilance, the operation was launched after the 42nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, led by 1Lt. Jem C, Peralta received the tip from a resident.
Acting swiftly on the intel, 1Lt. Peralta’s team, in collaboration with the Bravo Company of the 83rd IB under the command of 2Lt. Leonardo Ortiza, other Philippine Army composite teams, and with the support of Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (CATPPO), launched the coordinated intelligence-driven operation.
At around 10:50 PM on April 20, 2025, the team recovered the five IEDs which were initially turned over to the San Andres Municipal Police Station which has jurisdiction over the area.
The following day, April 21 at 1:55 PM, the recovered explosives were transferred to the Provincial Explosive Ordnance and Canine Unit (PECU) for proper handling and disposition.
A thorough examination confirmed the fact that the recovered improvised devices were anti-personnel mines, underscoring their potential to cause significant harm and disruption to both security personnel and the civilian population.
The IEDs are currently under the custody of PECU for safekeeping prior to the conduct of disposal procedures to completely neutralize the threat they pose.
Catanduanes Police Provincial Director PCol. Edward Quijano lauded the operating team for their exemplary performance and expressed profound gratitude for the increasing public trust in law enforcement, which facilitated the vital information leading to the recovery.
“The dedicated members of the operating team have our deepest gratitude and sincere congratulations for their exceptional work. Their successful response not only ensured the immediate safety of the community but also highlighted the unwavering vigilance and seamless coordination among security forces in proactively addressing and preventing threats before they can escalate,” PD Quijano said.
The Catanduanes police command underscored the importance of the operation in preventing potential disruptions to the upcoming elections and safeguarding the overall peace and security of the province, and urged the community to maintain their vigilance and provide ongoing support to local authorities.