Army slams rebels’ landmine planting
THE Joint Task Force Haribon (JTFH) condemned the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People's Army (CPP-NPA)'s planting of landmines along the roads which could endanger the safety of civilians.
"Laying of landmines in busy roads and populated areas by the NPA is a wanton disregard of the safety of the people which is a violation of their human rights," Brigadier General Gilbert I. Gapay said in a press statement.
He commended the community for their vigilance in reporting suspicious activities performed by the communist rebels in their area.
On February 19, the Army personnel from 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) at Purok 4B, Sitio Bombaran, Brgy Elizalde, Maco, Compostela Valley Province which was relayed to them by concerned residents who reported the presence of communist
members in their community.
The troops from the Alpha Company of the 71st Infantry Battalion launched a clearing operation to the area and conduct search and disposal of the explosives before it will prompt possible harm to innocent civilians.
They recovered IED weighing six kilograms, 50 meters electric wire and the detonating devices were subsequently recovered. The explosive device was safely defused and under the possession of the operating troops.
Earlier, pursuing troops of the 3rd Infantry Battalion and Army EOD foiled a possible landmine attack after they discovered and recovered an IED along a populated area in Inayangan, Calinan District, Davao City in the afternoon of February 18, 2017.
The operation developed after concerned individuals tipped off the troops about an IED being laid in the area. Troops and Army EOD Team conducted Render Safety Procedure on the IED composed of anti-vehicle landmine, explosive blasting machine, improvised blasting cap and electrical wire.
To date, the army forces are undertaking combat operation to apprehend the armed group responsible in laying the explosives.
Likewise, 71st IB Commander said Lieutenant Colonel Davice Christopher Mercado believed that this is a clear manifestation of the growing concern and awareness among the civilian populace which preempted fatalities to the troops as well as civilians residing in that area.
"We also strongly condemn the continued use of landmines by the New People's Army which places greater risk to the innocent residents of the communities as we wish to assure the communities within our area of operation of our continuing efforts to protect the community from terror and chaos brought by the NPA in their barangay", Mercado added. JCR