Government troops have stepped up their security operations
in parts of Malapatan town in Sarangani Province following the recovery over
the weekend of four powerful landmines in the area that were believed planted
by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
1Lt. B-Jay Ursua, Alpha company commander of the Army’s 73rd
Infantry Battalion (IB), said Monday they dispatched additional troops to
secure critical road networks in Malapatan town to prevent possible landmine
attacks by the rebels.
Elements from the 73IB and the Malapatan police station
recovered early Saturday four improvised landmines at a portion of a road in
Sitio Montilla in Barangay Lun Padidu.
Ursua said the landmines were initially found by local
residents, who immediately reported them to local authorities.
The recovered explosives comprise of four “anti-vehicle
bombs,” an improvised receiver, an improvised transmitter, electric blasting
caps and batteries that serve as power sources, he said.
The official said each of the four landmine measured around
6.5 inches in diameter and 9.5 inches tall.
“These are powerful enough to destroy a military vehicle and
inflict heavy casualties if they explode,” he told reporters.
Ursua said the recovery of the bombs in Barangay Lun Padidu
in Maasim was disturbing as they could have harmed civilians in the area.
He noted that the road network serves as a key entry and
exit point of residents travelling to and from various upland villages in the
area.
The road is also used frequently by the 73IB in moving their
operating troops to the hinterland villages of Malapatan and the neigboring
municipalities, he said.
Ursua described the foiled landmine attack as a desperate
move on the part of the NPA, which is the subject of intensified offensives by
the 73IB in the last several months.
Meantime, Sr. Insp. Ernesto Salandron, Malapatan police
chief, said they are currently preparing the filing of formal charges against
the suspected rebels who planted the explosives.
He said the 73IB has already identified some of the suspects
based on accounts of witnesses.(
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772530
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.