NPA rebels wound 2 civilians, 2 soldiers in landmine attack

MANILA, Philippines—Members of the New People’s Army detonated an improvised explosive device used as a landmine in Iloilo, wounding two civilians and two soldiers, a Philippine Army official said.

Major Ray Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Chief, said the rebels also violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits the use of landmines.

He said the attack happened Tuesday afternoon at the boundary of Barangay (village) Calampitao, Miag-ao and Barangay Nalundan, Guimbal and injured two civilians and two Army personnel.

Sergeant Ruben Dimzon and Corporal Allen Chris Grapa suffered minor wounds from the shrapnel and shattered glass during the explosion.

The explosion hit Melvin Depositario and Dexter Herradura who were riding a motorcycle a few meters away from the military vehicle.

“We condemn this act in its strongest terms; this is a blatant disregard of the CARHRIHL which the communist group is a signatory,” Major General Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said.

“Stop the use of landmines because it is illegal and they pose a significant threat to civilian populace,” he added.

NPA rebels Jonathan Emolaga and Carl Sernicula were behind the attack and were arrested in the same day.

Tiongson said the two attempted to flee the scene aboard a motorcycle parked 500 meters away from the incident.

Recovered from the two were a blasting cap attached to electrical wires, an electrical tester mechanism, a switch detonator with wire used to set off the IED, a Swiss knife, personal belongings, food items and a Yamaha motorcycle.