Story Links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:npa-landmines-convoy-of-ambulances-in-davao-del-sur-5-civilians-wounded&catid=8&Itemid=435
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City –
Five civilians were wounded after a landmine planted by the New People’s
Army (NPA) exploded last night in Bansalan town, in Davao Del Sur.
At about 7:30 pm yesterday, March 2,
2014, a convoy of ambulances from Davao Del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) headed by Bonita Dela Cruz,
Red Cross Davao del Sur Chapter headed by Winston Malinao and 39th
Infantry Battalion (39IB) ambulance led by 1lt Allan Dale Ibones, while
heading towards Sitio Balutakay, Brgy. Managa, Bansalan was hit by a
landmine planted by NPA rebels belonging to its Guerilla Front 51,
Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) under an alias ‘Rangrang’ in
Sitio Tower of said barangay.
Dumayas, who sustained wounds at the
left forearm, left thigh and inferior side of the head, and Cabual, who
was wounded at his left arm, are in critical condition in Digos Doctors
Hospital, while the other three suffered slight wounds. The Davao del
Sur PDRRMC ambulance was heavily damaged from the landmine.
Initial reports stated that Menandro
Villanueva, alias ‘Nelson’, Secretary of the SMRC personally ordered to
Roberto Rosete, alias ‘Bobby’, Secretary of the Sub-Regional Committee 3
of the CPP-NPA, the landmining of the civilian ambulance.
The group was supposed to pick-up and
evacuate the wounded personnel of 39IB who encountered undetermined
numbers of NPA rebels in Brgy. Managa, Bansalan town earlier that day.
The said encounter was between the Scout
Platoon of 39IB led by 2Lt Josepher Ansay and another platoon under 1Lt
Ian Ngalew against members of the NPA’s GF51, SMRC. Firefight lasted
for about an hour and in the course of maneuver, the platoon of 1Lt
Ngalew was hit by a landmine. After which the NPA withdrew towards
northwest direction. As a result, 11 soldiers including two officers
were wounded. On the other hand, community members reported that the NPA
brought with them four dead members and several wounded from the
firefight. Elements of the 39IB immediately launched pursuit operations
against the rebels to put them in the bar of justice.
“We will file a case against Villanueva
and his cohorts in the local and national courts for frustrated murder
and for violating the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on
Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)
specifically Part IV, Article 4.4, which states that civilians shall be
treated as such, shall be distinguished from combatants, shall not be
the object of attack and they shall be protected against the use of
explosives such as landmines. Villlanueva and his cronies will also face
charges under the Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes
against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other crimes
against humanity,” said Colonel Marcos Norman Flores Jr., Commander of
the 1002nd Infantry Brigade.
The AFP condemns this desperate attack
by the NPAs who continue to sow violence in rural areas in the country.
The NPA’s use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as landmines
endangers the lives, as well as sow terror, to civilians in the
immediate area of attack.
It is clearly stated in the CARHRIHL to
which the NPA is one of the signatories that the use of IEDs as
landmines is prohibited to prevent damages to civilians.
The AFP vows to pursue the perpetrators
in view of ending their violent activities and in bringing peace and
development in our rural communities.
AFP Websites
Links:
OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS WEBSITES
http://www.philippineinsurgency.co.nr/
http://www.philippineinsurgency.co.nr/
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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