Gov tells rebels to spare civilians from land mines

DIGOS CITY, Philippines—Davao del Sur Gov. Claude Bautista has called on the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to spare civilians from attacks following Sunday’s wounding of four civilian volunteers when their ambulance hit a rebel land mine in Bansalan town.

“Please spare the lives of the civilians, especially those of the rescuers who have nothing to do with your war against the military,” Bautista said. The victims were on their way to help 11 Army soldiers and a militiaman who were wounded in an NPA ambush in Managa village that morning.

Bautista said the team was sent by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“They don’t care if those wounded were NPA guerrillas or military personnel. They have to find ways to provide assistance when the need arises,” the governor said.

In Manila, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the land mine explosions, saying the acts violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law signed by the government and the communist insurgents in 1998.

“Land mine use is an infringement against the right to life as land mine devices remain lethal for decades once laid,” CHR Chair Loretta Ann Rosales said. Reports from Eldie Aguirre, Inquirer Mindanao, and Cynthia D. Balana in Manila