Army denounces Norther Samar's landmine blast that killed soldiers

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13): Army denounces Norther Samar's landmine blast that killed soldiers

The Philippine Army denounced the New People's Army's (NPA) use of landmines in combat following a blast this week that killed three soldiers and wounded eight others in an outskirt of Las Navas, Northern Samar.

Major Amado C. Gutierrez, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division, said the rebel's act is a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) that specifically prohibits the use of landmine.

The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) which represents the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) signed CARHRIHL on March 16, 1998.

"Landmine not only poses danger to military personnel, but more so, it endangers the lives of innocent civilians who regularly and unwittingly pass by the road where landmines are planted," Gutierrez said in a statement.

On June 10, a landmine planted by NPA exploded in Bugtosan village, just 700 meters away from a residential area in the upland village of Bugtosa in Las Navas town.

Rebels planted mines to hinder troop movements of the 34th Infantry Battalion based in Tambangan village, Palapag, Northern Samar. They are deployed in the area for counter insurgency drive.

"Following the explosion is a 25-minute firefight until the armed rebels withdrew," Gutierrez added.

Those who died on the spot were Private Lino Mahinay, Private First Class Jaype Yulas, and Private First Class Albert Abolencia.

Wounded were Private First Class Jay Arabening, Private First Class Dexter Quilates, Lt. Marco Abante, Cpl. Ronnie Balastas, Private Gerry Culaban, Private First Class Danmar Ching, Private First Class Marlon Urbano, and Private First Class Buenaventura Raygon. They are now being treated at Camp Vicente Lukban Station Hospital in Northern Samar.

Near the blast site, government troops recovered five improvised explosive devices, five electrical blasting caps, long electrical wire and two backpacks.

Two years ago, government troops discovered a landmine factory in Paranas, Samar. Soldiers recovered improvised landmines, a machine for landmine production, blasting caps with detonating cords.

Last week, Army troops reported two separate encounters with bands of rebels in the towns of Las Navas and Lope de Vega in Northern Samar. The clash wounded two soldiers. It resulted in seizure of several firearms and discovery of 32-bunkers encampments site with kitchens and a mess hall.

Northern Samar, one of the economically-depressed provinces in the country, has been the Philippine Army's priority for counter-insurgency operation in Eastern Visayas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=653217