Gov’t troops recover landmine materials

From Panay News (Jul 7, 2021): Gov’t troops recover landmine materials (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

TAPAZ, Capiz – A recent encounter between Philippine Army soldiers and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Tabiay, Barangay Buri here led to the recovery of materials used in making anti-personnel mines.

“These are proof that the NPA continue to use landmines against Army troops in clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL),” said Brigadier General Marion Sison, commander of the 301st Brigade.

The NPA’s purpose in using anti-personnel mines indiscriminately, he said, is to destroy lives, including those of innocent civilians.

“These terrorists want to brutally harm our troops and civilians, a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law,” said Sison.

The Sitio Tabiay encounter happened on July 1 around 11:35 a.m. It lasted for an hour.

The government forces were conducting an offensive operation there in response to reports about the presence of rebels in the area.

Seized from the encounter site were the following:

* one anti-personnel mine

* 150 meters of electrical wire

* five liters of gasoline

* a container of fertilizer (where ammonium nitrate can be harvested to make explosives)

* one binocular

* medical supplies

* subversive documents

* nine backpacks

* six hammocks

* two stoves

* four flashlights

* three jungle bolos

* two kilograms of tobacco

* six kilograms of meat

* one sack of rice

* assorted food supplies

* personal belongings

No government troops were wounded in the encounter.

“The people are complaining about the NPA terrorists extorting money and food supplies from them. The rebels are using threat and violence to force people to give in to their demands,” Sison said.

He urged the insurgents to lay down their arms peacefully, abandon the armed struggle to be with their families and communities.

Their human rights would be respected, he stressed.

https://www.panaynews.net/govt-troops-recover-landmine-materials/