Landmine found in Cotabato town

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 22): Landmine found in Cotabato town

Authorities recovered an improvised landmine, about three kilometers away from the national highway in Arakan, North Cotabato, around 6 p.m., on Saturday.

Senior Inspector Rolly Oranza, chief of the Arakan municipal police station, said the bomb, which weighed 5.8 kilos, was recovered at Sitio Sinayong, Barangay Bato-Bato in Arakan – near the place where Police Officer 2 Mike Ali was abducted on Friday by believed to be members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA).

Oranza said they also recovered from the site a blasting cap and a firing wire at least 80 meters in length.

The area, which is located along the boundary of Arakan and President Roxas towns, is at least five kilometers away from the nearest detachment of the Alpha Company of the 57th Infantry Battalion.

Oranza, citing the statement of some residents of Barangay Bato-Bato, said the explosive could have been planted by still unidentified suspects from 2 a.m., until 3 a.m., on Saturday.

The incident took place a day after PO2 Ali of the Arakan PNP was abducted by communist guerrillas operating in the hinterlands of North Cotabato and Bukidnon provinces.

Ali’s wife told authorities the suspects identified themselves as members of the NPAs.

Oranza, however, has yet to know what particular group of the NPAs was behind Ali’s abduction.

The victim, together with his wife and 30 of his farm workers, were on their way to Barangay Tahontong in President Roxas, when waylaid by the NPAs. At gunpoint, the rebels took Ali and later brought him to still undetermined place.

Cotabato Governor Lala Mendoza has already called on the civilian populace in Arakan and President Roxas towns to help authorities in locating Ali.

“We condemn this abduction. We all must join hands together to help bring Ali back to his family,” said Mendoza.

Three days after the abduction, Ali’s family has not received any note from the NPAs, according to Oranza.

“There is yet no demand. We still have to know the leader of the NPAs that abducted Ali so we would know how the negotiations would be conducted,” said Oranza.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=518503