The military reported Monday the recovery of the 17th improvised explosive device (IED) planted by members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao region, even as three soldiers were wounded in a clash with the bandits in Cotabato province.

Capt. Emmanuel Garcia, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) based in Davao City, said the 17th improvised bomb was recovered at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday along the road at Kauswagan village, Lupon town, Davao Oriental province.

Garcia said troops from the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion (28th IB) were conducting clearing operations in the area when they discovered the IED.

“Residents said they noticed suspicious individuals frequenting their village but were not aware that some of them may have planted the IED. Recovered by troops were a blasting cap, main charge composed of ammonium nitrate, an improvised electric detonator and wires,” said Garcia.

According to the 10ID spokesman, this was the eighth time this year that Army troops recovered an IED while the total number of recovery from January to date was pegged at 17.

“The biggest IED haul was last March when troops of the 25th Infantry Battalion (25IB) recovered six IEDs in a two-hour gunbattle with NPA terrorists in Monkayo town, Compostela province. Thirteen suspected NPAs were apprehended in the hot pursuit operation that followed,” said Garcia.

Last week, an IED big enough to blow a tank was also recovered along the road in Maco town in Compostela Valley province.

10ID commander, Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza deplored the continued use of IEDs by the NPA saying, “It is inhuman, unlawful and ungodly.”

“No amount of explanation can justify the use of such inhuman weapons that threaten not only soldiers but also non-combatants. The worse is that these terrorists are planting these IEDs along the road which pose great danger to our people,” said Holganza.

In 2009, a total of 11 IEDs were blown by NPAs in Davao region, killing 10 government troops and a civilian, Rudy Dela Paz in the Managa village, Bansalan town, Davao del Sur. Twenty-eight government troops and two unarmed civilians- Rolando Sayan, a “habal-habal” driver were also wounded after they were hit by an IED while travelling along the Bukidnon-Davao Highway.