NPA must face law after landmine blast – AFP
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – After the New People’s Army’s landmine blasts injured 16 people in Davao del Sur, the Armed Forces of the Philippines have posed a challenge for the insurgents: bring the perpetrators to a court of law.
Even if the NPA offered financial aid to the victims of the blast, the AFP wants the insurgents to present those responsible to a court of law, which is the only place that the victims can achieve justice.
“Our challenge is, if they are really sincere, they must surrender to face the law; it is the only way the people who they hurt would get justice,” AFP Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said Thursday.
Zagala said that the NPA should be accountable to their acts. He said the insurgents’ offer of financial aid to the victims does not negate their acts.
“Paying is not enough,” Zagala said.
“They used improvised explosive devices and landmines; landmines are already banned and it’s inhumane,” the spokesman said. “This only shows that the NPA does not respect human rights and they do not abide by international laws.”
RELATED STORIES
NDF leaders want compensation for victims of landmine blast
Soldier wounded in landmine blast
Landmine victims slam NPA for ‘insincere’ apology
