AFP seeks probe on Northern Samar landmine attack
Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan issued a statement condemning the NPA attack and its use of APM in its conduct of war against the government
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Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan issued a statement condemning the NPA attack and its use of APM in its conduct of war against the government
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CATBALOGAN CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is urging the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the "blatant" violation committed by the communist New People's Army when it used the banned Anti-Personnel Mines in an attack that wounded six soldiers in Barangay Quirino, Las Navas, Northern Samar on Sunday.
Lieutenant Colonel Joemar Buban, commanding officer the 20th Infantry "We Lead" Battalion based in Las Navas, Northern Samar, said that rebels attacked members of the Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program Teams that were securing a water system project.
Barangay Quirino is among the seven barangays in Las Navas, Northern Samar that are recipients of the Support to Barangay Development Program 2022 as part of the National Task Force-ELCAC Program. The village was set to receive a Level II Water System Project in a turnover ceremony.
Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan issued a statement condemning the NPA attack and its use of APM in its conduct of war against the government.
"This inhumane act is apparently a desperate attempt of the NPA to distract the people from believing and supporting the government's peace and development efforts in the area," Ongchuan said.
He said the provincial government is saddened "at how the NPAs continuously used landmines which is a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law, and poses threat not only to the government forces who are being faithful to their duty of protecting the people, but also puts the lives and safety of civilians at risk."
Buban, meantime, stressed that the CHR should investigate and make a statement on these "continuous inexcusable violations of the Ottawa Convention, International Humanitarian Law and RA 9851 by communist NPA terrorists in Northern Samar."
Major General Camilo Ligayo, Commander of AFP's Joint Task Force Storm, said the NPA attack on Sunday is just the latest in a string of violations committed by the communist on international accords against the use of APM.
At least five soldiers from the Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program team of the 20th Infantry Battalion were wounded on the latest communist terrorist attack.
Meantime, Philippine National Police chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said that the attack was "a trademark hostile action of the communist terrorist group to drumbeat the forthcoming founding anniversary of the CPP."
Police territorial forces in Northern Samar and the nearby provinces have been alerted to conduct checkpoint operations to intercept the fleeing suspects, while mobile patrol teams are searching local hospitals and clinics for possible wounded suspects seeking treatment.
With Paula Antolin
