Iloilo cops unhurt in roadside blast

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 17, 2020): Iloilo cops unhurt in roadside blast (By Perla Lena)  December 17, 2020, 8:19 pm

BE VIGILANT. Iloilo Police Provincial Office director Col. Gilbert Gorero reminded police personnel to be always vigilant. He reported that a patrol car of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station was damaged when the vehicle hit a landmine planted by the communist terrorist group (CTG) on Thursday (Dec. 17, 2020). (PNA file photo)

ILOILO CITY – Police personnel of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station (MPS) were unscathed when their patrol car hit a landmine planted by alleged members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) on Thursday.

Police Col. Gilbert Gorero, in a text message, said the police officers, led by assistant chief of police Lt. Jose Romel Samson, were on board a Hilux patrol car ) in Brgy. Balicua, Tubungan, Iloilo around 2:45 p.m. when they were hit by a blast from an anti-personnel mine.

“All personnel on board were safe and returned to the station while the Hilux patrol car incurred broken windows on the driver side and holes and scratches on the left side,” he said.

He added that policemen were “alerted and reminded to be more vigilant, alert at all times and maintain minimum defensive security posture”.

Meanwhile, Capt. Cenon Pancito III, Public Affairs Office chief of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army, said they are still waiting for more details about the incident.

He said Tubungan is part of the area of operation of the Southern Front, Kilusang Rehiyon Panay of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Authorities said the use of anti-personnel landmine is a clear violation of Republic Act 9851 or the crimes against International Humanitarian Law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity.

CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125097