AFP, PNP forces foil NPA’s roadside bomb plot in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 27): AFP, PNP forces foil NPA’s roadside bomb plot in Bukidnon

The army’s 8th Infantry Battalion and elements of Philippine National Police’s Regional Public Safety Battalion (PNP-RPSB) recovered a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected members of the New Peoples Army (NPA).

Lt. Col. Lennon G. Babilonia, commanding officer of the army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (8IB,4ID), said the landmine was fixed just beneath the ground along Bukidnon-Davao road in Palacapao village, Quezon, Bukidnon.

He said the AFP-PNP joint forces retrieved the bomb at about 10:00 p.m., August 14, after responding to an urgent call of a resident in said village.

The bomb is believed to have been planted by members of NPA under Guerilla Front 53 of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) who have been recently causing atrocities in the area, while making tricks — as diversionary tactics — to mislead the government forces who are conducting their crucial operation to protect human lives, he said.

Recently, the 8th IB thwarted NPA attacks and overran several rebel camps in jungle villages through a timely report from an upland resident.

“We commend our vigilant citizens in Bukidnon who are seriously taking part in a shared concept of security. While the 8th Infantry Battalion is capable of doing its mandate of protecting the people, the continued support of the community made our job a lot more effective and efficient. We also thanked the PNP for working hand in hand with us in ensuring the safety and security of the people,” Lt. Col. Babilonia said.

Citing a provision in the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), which bans the use of landmines, Babilonia said it is ironic because the National Democratic Front including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA are signatories to this agreement.

“We will continue to uphold the CARHRIHL and we will always help the people of this beautiful and productive province win the peace,” he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501440579239/afp-pnp-forces-foil-npa-s-roadside-bomb-plot-in-bukidnon