Army troops overrun rebel landmine manufacturing encampment in Comval town

From the Manila Times (Aug 29): Army troops overrun rebel landmine manufacturing encampment in Comval town

MABINI, Compostela Valley Province: The operating troops from the Philippine Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion overran a New People’s Army (NPA) camp believed to be a landmine manufacturing encampment when they encountered around 20 rebels at Sitio Pag-asa (Mascareg), Barangy Anitapan, Mabini town in Compostela Valley Province earlier this week.

Capt. Ernest Carolina of the Civil Military Office of the PA at the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reported on Friday that the government troops tracked down the rebels following a terrorist attack at a banana farm located in the nearby Barangay Tagdagua of Pantukan, Comval Province just a week ago.

Carolina said after an intense firefight, the rebels left behind several items including 12 grenade-type Improvised Explosive Device (IED); two switch detonators; two rolls detonating cord; 120 pieces dynamites; one Voltage regulator; blow torch; two bags full of personal belongings, one pack bolts and knots and one drill machine believed to be used in manufacturing internationally-banned landmines.

Carolina believed some rebels were wounded as indicated by the traces of bloodstains when they pursued the withdrawing rebels. From the government side, one soldier was wounded.

Carolina said the explosive items showed the rebels’ continued violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL.

“The Filipino soldiers, being the true vanguards of peace and democracy zealously performed their constitutional mandate as present-day heroes dedicated in serving the Filipino people and securing the integrity of the national territory,” Carolina said.

http://www.manilatimes.net/army-troops-overrun-rebel-landmine-manufacturing-encampment-in-comval-town/122693/