Army discovers alleged NPA landmines, arms cache in Agusan del Sur

The Philippine Army on Thursday said its 67th Infantry “Agila” Battalion (67IB) under the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division found three Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) arms cache reportedly from the New People's Army in Agusan Del Sur.

In a statement, the Army said the arms cache, which contained three dual purpose landmines, were discovered in Sitio Cogonon, Barangay Salvacion, Trento on Wednesday after security forces conducted joint intel operations.

"Authorities said the IED items were buried by NPA members who are remnants of the weakened Guerilla Front North (WGF) of the CPP-NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC)," read the statement.

The IEDs were transported to the 67IB Headquarters in Davao Oriental, the Army added.

According to 701st  Infantry ”Kagitingan” Brigade Commander Colonel Oliver Maquiling, the uncovered explosives also "validated" the communist rebels' atrocities that were "recently committed" against the labor leader Nolven Absalon and football player Keith Absalon, who were killed by landmines in Masbate.  

For his part, 67IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Michael Aquino said citizens no longer want the presence of communist rebels in their community due to the government's anti-insurgency efforts.

Likewise, Aquino hailed his troopers as well as a concerned citizen who sent them a tip that led to the discovery of the explosive arms cache.

“This reflects the peoples’ trust in the government security forces. Now, the people who form the backbone of peace and harmony in the community have already realized that there is nothing to gain in the 52 years of communist armed struggle that greatly affected development in their area.” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, the The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said self-exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison and other leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People's Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) must be held accountable for the killings of Kieth and Nolven Absalon.

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson on human rights, peace process and international engagements Undersecretary Severo Catura claimed CPP-NPA-NDF leaders, especially Sison, are personally accountable for the killing of the Absalons under International Humanitarian Law and domestic law.

Catura said he is referring to the Geneva Convention (IV) and Additional Protocols covering civilian protection, and Republic Act No. 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law.

Catura said the use of both manufactured and improvised anti-personnel mines, including improvised explosive devices, are prohibited under said laws as they do not discriminate between innocent civilians and combatants. 

“Based on Intelligence information, the CPP-NPA-NDF has continuously produced, stockpiled, transported, and used these prohibited APMs with the blessing and approval of CPP leaders Sison, Luis Jalandoni, Juliet de Lima-Sison and other CTG leaders, making them fully responsible and liable for the deaths of dozens of civilians, including Kieth Absolon,” Catura said. 

“It does not matter if Sison or other leaders gave the direct order to kill the Absalons or that they did not have actual knowledge of the attack; the law does not distinguish such.  What is essential is that they will be held criminally responsible as principals because of their being known as leaders of the said terrorist group,” he added.—Consuelo Marquez/Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News