Kalinaw News: Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion Recovers NPA Anti-Personnel Mine in Tapaz Encounter

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 2, 2021): Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion Recovers NPA Anti-Personnel Mine in Tapaz Encounter

CAMP HERNANDEZ, Dingle, Iloilo – Army troops under the 12th Infantry Battalion encountered remnants of the Communist NPA terrorists in Sitio Tabiay, Barangay Buri, Tapaz, Capiz at around 11:35 A.M Thursday, July 01, 2021.

This, after the troops responded to the reports on the presence of the armed communist-terrorists in the area. The encounter lasted for almost one hour. Seized from the encounter site were one (1) anti-personnel mine; nine (9) backpacks; six (6) hammocks; two (2) stoves; four (4) flashlights; three (3) jungle bolos; two (2) kilograms of tobacco; six (6) kilograms of meat; one (1) sack of rice; 150 meters of electrical wire; one (1) binocular; five (5) liters gasoline; one (1) container fertilizer; medical supplies; subversive documents; assorted food supplies and personal belongings. No reported casualty on the government side.

Most of the recoveries were materials used in making anti-personnel mines. These are proofs of New People’s Army (NPA) continue to use landmines which is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The purpose of anti-personnel mines indiscriminately destroys lives including innocent civilians.

“These terrorists want to brutally harm our troops and civilians, a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law,” 301st Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Marion Sison, said. “The people in the community are complaining about the NPA terrorists who were extorting money and food supplies. They are using threat and violence to force the people to give in to their demand,” Brigadier General Sison further said.

Moreover, General Sison urged the NPA terrorists to lay down their arms peacefully and abandon the armed struggle to be with their family and community as he assured them that their human rights will be respected. He also instructed the troops to ensure the safety and security of the populace in the area following the encounter.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/armys-12ib-recovers-npa-anti-personnel-mine-in-tapaz-encounter/