Army condemns rebels’ landmine use in Bukidnon clash

The military has condemned the New Peoples Army (NPA) for using landmines during a renewed clash in Miaray, Iba, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon last Thursday, January 10.

Troops under the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) engaged the communist rebels in a five-minute encounter while conducting security operation in the area.

In a statement, the military said the Community Support Team of the 8IB were acting on the report of concerned residents over the sightings of an armed group in the area.

The military claimed that while the troops were advancing the NPA unit, an anti-personnel landmine was detonated by the NPA fighters and immediately withdrew through their escape area.

None of the army troopers was wounded in a five-minute exchange of gunfire.

The military also captured another anti-personnel landmine of the NPA.

First Lieutenant Kenneth Cabbigat, civil military office of the 8IB, said around five communist rebels were responsible for the attack.

“Gikuha pa nato ilang identity. Napugos ra ni sila og tuman sa ilang commander. Kung naay nabuthan sa atong tropa ato, posible maputlan gyud og parte sa lawas,”Cabbigat said.

“We condemned this desperate act by the terrorists which only shows their true nature. This barbaric act, particularly the use of Anti-Personnel Landmine is a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) as agreed between the government and the National Democratic Front,”8IB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said.

Part 3, Article 2, Section 15 of the agreement states “the right not to be subjected to indiscriminate bombings, shelling, strafing, gunfire, and the use of landmines.”

“Hence, I am calling again upon those CPPNPA terrorist especially the Sub Regional Command 2 (SRC2), North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) to stop violating the International Humanitarian Law and cease from using Anti-Personnel mines that may victimize innocent civilians,” Illana added. Alwen Saliring