The Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas has reaffirmed its commitment to round up the remaining bastions of Communist insurgency in the region.
This, after authorities reported the discovery of two anti-personnel mines in the town of Las Navas, Northern Samar.
In a report, troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion (20IB) discovered the mines while conducting combat patrol in the hinterlands of Barangay Sag-od in Las Navas last August 13.
The mines were believed to have been placed in the area by members of the New People's Army (NPA), highlighting what authorities say is the "desperate" efforts by the rebel group to maintain its weakening hold in the region.
Lt. Col. Tim Clavel, 20IB commander, has condemned the placement of the mines as they pose a "serious threat" not only to soldiers but to civilians as well.
“The effects of these explosives are indiscriminate and enduring. It should be noted that the NPA continue(s) to use these banned mines without regard to the safety of communities they purported to protect,” Clavel said in a statement.
The military said anti-personnel mines are prohibited under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, commonly known as the Ottawa Convention or Mine Ban Treaty, to which the Philippines is a state party.
“The recovery of these anti-personnel mines underscores the continuing threat posed by unlawful explosive devices to our troops and, more importantly, to innocent civilians. We commend our troops for their vigilance and professionalism, which led to the discovery of these explosives before they could potentially cause harm,” the military official added.
Upland areas in Northern Samar are considered strongholds of the communist terrorist group because of their thick forests and poor road networks.
Surrendered
Meanwhile, three individuals formerly affiliated with the NPA in Eastern Visayas voluntarily surrendered to authorities on August 16, according to the regional police.
The surrenderers were identified only by their aliases "Bagsang," 22, a farmer and former Yunit Militia member from Northern Samar; "Narong," a farmer and former Yunit Militia member from Eastern Samar; and "Leta," 70, a farmer and former UGMO member from Samar.
The police said the surrender was facilitated through sustained intelligence work, community engagement, information drives, and negotiations conducted by personnel of the Silvino Lubos Municipal Police Station, the 801st and 802nd Maneuver Companies of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (Eastern Visayas), and supporting units.
Regional Police Director, Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, commended the operating units for their efforts in encouraging NPA-linked individuals to peacefully abandon their affiliation and return to mainstream society.
Capoy said they would continue their community engagement and coordination with partner agencies to support peace, security, and development efforts in Eastern Visayas.
The three surrenderers are now under the custody of the concerned police units for documentation, disposition, and assessment for possible enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
(With report from PNA)
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