Las navas: The Philippine Army has again condemned the use of explosive devices by the New People's Army (NPA) in Northern Samar following the discovery of two anti-personnel mines in Las Navas town. In a report shared with reporters Monday night, the Philippine Army said the presence of such devices in conflict-affected areas poses a serious threat to civilians and security personnel.
According to Philippines News Agency, the effects of these explosives are indiscriminate and enduring. It should be noted that the NPA continues to use these banned mines without regard to the safety of communities they purported to protect, said Lt. Col. Tim Clavel, commander of the Army's 20th Infantry Battalion (20IB). Troops of the 20IB discovered the two anti-personnel mines while conducting combat patrol in the hinterlands of Barangay Sag-od, Las Navas, Northern Samar on Aug. 13.
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,' Clavel said.
He assured the public that the Army would continue to conduct focused security operations to prevent the use of explosive devices and help ensure the safety of communities in Northern Samar. Upland areas in Northern Samar are considered strongholds of the communist terrorist group because of their thick forests and poor road networks.
Meanwhile, three individuals formerly affiliated with the NPA in Eastern Visayas voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Aug. 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.
