Army foils landmine use

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 25, 2019): Army foils landmine use

The attempt of the New People’s Army to use landmines against government forces and civilians participating in the medical mission sponsored by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, may have been foiled by patrolling state security forces, Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.

Five improvised landmines were among the war materials recovered by the combined troopers of the 94th Infantry Battalion and Regional Mobile Force Battalion, after an encounter Saturday night with about 20 New People’s Army rebels in Brgy. Bantulinao, Manjuyod.

Madriaga said they received persistent reports from civilians who had been warned by the NPA to stay away from the government-sponsored medical mission.

The encounter also resulted in the death of an Army soldier, a suspected member of the NPA, while two other soldiers were also slightly injured.

Lt. Col. Randy Pagunuran, 94IB commander, said they were able to prevent the terroristic activity of the NPA due to the vigilance of community in the area.

The provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL), in which the government and the National Democratic Front are signatories, state the right not to be subjected to indiscriminate bombings, shelling, strafing, and the use of landmines.”

It clearly shows that these NPA terrorists are no longer ‘fighting for the rights of the people’, rather they are only fighting for the mere survival of their ‘twisted and irrelevant ideology’, Pagunuran added.

Two months ago, Army soldiers also recovered three improvised anti-personnel mines, after an encounter with NPA rebels in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, while pursuing suspects responsible for the death of town Councilor Jolomar Hilario.

Pagunuran strongly condemned the continued use of land mines by the NPA, who, he said, are desperate to hamper government efforts in delivering basic services.

They (NPA) will do anything at all costs, no matter who will suffer, even putting the lives of innocent people at risk in an attempt to win against government forces, he added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/June/25/topstory8.htm