Army soldier, CAFGU auxiliary member wounded in Samar explosion —military

An Army soldier and a CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) member were wounded in an explosion of an anti-personnel landmine in Pinabacdao, Samar on Tuesday, Joint Task Force Storm and 8th Infantry Division said Wednesday.

In a statement, the military said the anti-personnel landmine was from the rebel group New People’s Army (NPA).

The two servicemen were heading to a site planned for a new detachment when the explosion happened in Barangay Pelaon at 8:26 a.m.. They were brought to a medical facility for treatment.

According to the military, they were setting up a new detachment in the area as requested by the local community leaders and residents.

Major General Edgardo De Leon, commander of the  8ID, called out the rebel group for using anti-personnel mines which are prohibited under a UN convention.

“Their continuing manufacture, stockpile, and use of anti-personnel mine is a gross disrespect to the UN convention that bans anti-personnel mines to protect humans from its mutilating effects and suffering,” he said.

According to the military, NPA members were also allegedly abandoning explosive mines that they were hiding, which posed danger to civilians passing along.

In 2021, the 8ID recovered 96 pieces of abandoned anti-personnel land mines in various parts of Eastern Visayas.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News