Northern Samar landmine blast a violation of humanitarian law — DND OIC Faustino

Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. on Wednesday described the recent landmine blast in Northern Samar as an isolated case and a violation of  the International Humanitarian Law.

In a statement, the DND condemned the explosion in the town of Mapanas on Tuesday that injured at least seven soldiers, including two who are in critical condition.

“This is a very isolated case and a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law, more specifically, an incontrovertible violation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans and condemns the use of landmines,’ Faustino said.

According to Faustino, they will continue improving its anti-insurgency efforts in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas by providing essential services to our communities.

“We will relentlessly support the whole-of-nation approach to the government’s counter-insurgency operations to address the root causes of the insurgency, and finally end the scourge wrought by these terrorists on the Filipino people,” he said.

The military said that troops from the 20th Infantry Battalion and 63rd Infantry Battalion (63IB) were conducting immersion activities when the explosion occurred at 6:15 a.m.

Major General Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, blamed the communist rebel group New People’s Army for the attack.

He also condemned them for their alleged violation of the law that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News