CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – At least five soldiers were killed while two others were injured in a land mine explosion in a remote area of Lianga, Surigao del Sur late Tuesday afternoon, the military reported Wednesday.

The attack occurred as the government said it was prepared to declare a holiday truce with the communist rebels.

Maj. Michel Anayron, spokesperson of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based here, identified those killed as MSgt. Rolly Banag, TSgt. Juanito Tela, Sgt. Ruel Ortero, Cpl. Amil Julmadi, and Pfc. Piong Jalain.

Those wounded were SSgt. Danilo Mamocay and Cpl. Haliddin Habibun.

Anayron said the soldiers were aboard a small cargo truck on their way to the headquarters of the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade – to deliver examination papers for those wanting to avail themselves of promotion – when they were hit by the explosion while passing by Sitio Bantolinao in Baranangay Ganayon around 4:20 p.m.

“Msgt. Banag and Tsgt. Tela were members of the Promotional Examination team and were unarmed. They were being escorted to the headquarters of the 401st Infantry Brigade,” he said.

Anayron said after the explosion, New People’s Army (NPA) rebels behind the land mine approached the victims and took away five firearms, ammunition, a laptop, cellular phones and personal belongings.

The Surigao land mine blast came just two days after four soldiers – including a junior officer – were also wounded in a similar attack in Baganga, Davao Oriental.

In November, six soldiers, including a junior officer, were also killed while two others were wounded after they stepped on land mines planted by NPA rebels in New Bataan town in Compostela Valley.

A few days before that, two soldiers were also injured when they stepped on a land mine in Maco, also in Compostela Valley.

Anayron said the NPA’s use of anti-personnel mines was deplorable and inhumane.

The NPA had repeatedly said its use of land mines was not covered by the international ban because these are command-detonated ones.

The NPA said because it was not violating protocols of war, it would continue to use land mines in its fight against the military.
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Regional authorities, armed conflict, moro
Land mine blast kills 5 soldiers

By Grace Albasin and Joselle Badilla, Inquirer Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – At least five soldiers were killed while two others were injured in a land mine explosion in a remote area of Lianga, Surigao del Sur late Tuesday afternoon, the military reported Wednesday.

The attack occurred as the government said it was prepared to declare a holiday truce with the communist rebels.

Maj. Michel Anayron, spokesperson of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based here, identified those killed as MSgt. Rolly Banag, TSgt. Juanito Tela, Sgt. Ruel Ortero, Cpl. Amil Julmadi, and Pfc. Piong Jalain.

Those wounded were SSgt. Danilo Mamocay and Cpl. Haliddin Habibun.

Anayron said the soldiers were aboard a small cargo truck on their way to the headquarters of the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade – to deliver examination papers for those wanting to avail themselves of promotion – when they were hit by the explosion while passing by Sitio Bantolinao in Baranangay Ganayon around 4:20 p.m.

“Msgt. Banag and Tsgt. Tela were members of the Promotional Examination team and were unarmed. They were being escorted to the headquarters of the 401st Infantry Brigade,” he said.

Anayron said after the explosion, New People’s Army (NPA) rebels behind the land mine approached the victims and took away five firearms, ammunition, a laptop, cellular phones and personal belongings.

The Surigao land mine blast came just two days after four soldiers – including a junior officer – were also wounded in a similar attack in Baganga, Davao Oriental.

In November, six soldiers, including a junior officer, were also killed while two others were wounded after they stepped on land mines planted by NPA rebels in New Bataan town in Compostela Valley.

A few days before that, two soldiers were also injured when they stepped on a land mine in Maco, also in Compostela Valley.

Anayron said the NPA’s use of anti-personnel mines was deplorable and inhumane.

The NPA had repeatedly said its use of land mines was not covered by the international ban because these are command-detonated ones.

The NPA said because it was not violating protocols of war, it would continue to use land mines in its fight against the military.