Manila, Sept. 14 -- The Philippine Army's 48th Infantry Battalion (48IB) denounced the communist New People's Army (NPA) for endangering residents by stockpiling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) close to a community in Butuan City.

The 48IB troopers recovered the explosives in Purok 6, Barangay Bugsukan on Sept. 11, following the disclosure of an NPA member who recently surrendered.

Recovered at the site were 20 kilograms (kgs) of ammonium nitrate contained in a white plastic container, 15 kg of ammonium nitrate in a black plastic container, four blasting caps with detonating cords, and two 40-meter lengths of electric wire.

"When detonated, these explosives are capable of causing damage and casualties within a 50-meter radius, posi...