2 killed in mine explosion in Northern Samar

Northern Samar map. INQUIRER FILES

ORMOC CITY — Two persons were killed after suspected communist rebels staged an anti-personnel mine (APM) attack in Barangay Magsaysay, Las Navas town, Northern Samar on Saturday, June 3.

The victims, identified as Rowel Lebico and Hersan Cabe, died immediately after incurring wounds and injuries from the explosion.

Lebico and Cabe also had gunshot wounds on their bodies based on the initial investigation conducted by the police.

The victims were on board a motorcycle when the APM, which was allegedly set up by the NPA, exploded.

The two victims were workers of the farm-to-market road construction that will connect the interior barangays of Las Navas, Northern Samar.

“This is not the first APM attack by the CPP-NPA-NDF [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front] in Northern Samar that killed innocent civilians and members of the armed forces,” said Lt. Joyce Ann Baron, 20 Infantry Battalion spokesperson.

The incident, she said, showed that the CPP-NPA-NDF once again committed a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law in Northern Samar.

READ: Thousands of dynamites seized in Bukidnon, anti-personnel mines destroyed in Cagayan de Oro