Bancasi, Butuan City – The 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade once again recovered several landmines and seized war materiel in a clash against CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) in the mountainous area of Brgy Camp Edward, Alegria, Surigao del Norte at around 7:35 morning, June 03, 2020.
Troops of 30IB figured in a forty-five (45) minute firefight against more or less fifteen (15) CNTs believed to be members of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16C under Guerilla Front (GF) 16 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), and successfully overrun a CNTs hideout recovering one (1) M16 riffle with attached M203GL and two (2) Anti-Personnel Mines (APM) that are strictly prohibited under International Humanitarian Law and the International Convention on Geneva Protocols.
Said clash is the 2nd for this week after troops of 30IB also encountered CNTs last June 1, 2020 in Brgy Biyadid, Sison of same province wherein one (1) APM, laid along the trail frequently used by the local residents in the said area was also recovered.
Troops also recovered at the encounter site CNT’s assorted war materiel that includes five (5) rounds of Cal. 50; sixteen (16) M203 ammunitions; one (1) AK47 magazine; one (1) M14 magazine; one (1) Icom handheld radio; three (3) cellular phones; eight (8) backpacks; assorted personal belongings; and, subversive documents.
Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine, the 402nd Brigade Commander lamented the CNTs continuous use of APMs that is a clear violation to the International Humanitarian Law that also endangers the lives of innocent civilians.
“This is an indication of a growing desperation on the part of the CNTs. They still employ the use of landmines despite the ban as a strategy to inflict casualty against government troops even if it endangers the lives of innocent civilians. Even this is internationally considered inhumane, the CNTs continued use of remote detonated landmines is a display of their true nature as terrorists”.
“The series of clashes in just a few days is a testament that the people of Surigao del Norte have realized that the CNTs undermined their value and safety as they wantonly use landmines. Hence, the people are tipping off the CNTs whereabouts. While we laud the residents for the courageous act they have shown against the CNTs, we urge the remaining CNTs to return to the folds of the law and choose the path of peace as the Army will relentlessly pursue them with the TF ELCAC intensifying its efforts to end insurgency in Caraga region”, Brigadier General Licudine added.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
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