Philippine Army personnel inspect two anti-personnel mines recovered in the hinterlands of Las Navas, Northern Samar, following a combat patrol. Military officials on Tuesday condemned the New People’s Army for deploying the prohibited explosive devices, which pose severe risks to local civilian communities.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of Philippine army
Philippine Army troops discovered two prohibited anti-personnel mines during a combat patrol in the hinterlands of Las Navas, Northern Samar, military officials reported Tuesday.
Soldiers from the 20th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, recovered the explosive devices last 13 August in Barangay Sag-od.
The manufacture, stockpiling and use of anti-personnel mines are banned under the Ottawa Convention, or Mine Ban Treaty, to which the Philippines is a state party.
Military officials warned that the presence of such devices poses a severe, indiscriminate threat to civilians and security forces in conflict-affected areas.
“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,” said Lt. Col. Tim Clavel.
“We commend our troops for their vigilance and professionalism, which led to the discovery of these explosives before they could potentially cause harm,” he added.
Clavel assured the public that the battalion will maintain focused security operations across Northern Samar to prevent the deployment of explosive devices.
The 8th Infantry Division condemned the possession and potential use of anti-personnel mines by remnant communist insurgents, stressing that such weapons violate international humanitarian law and endanger local communities.
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