An elderly woman was killed while seven soldiers including a young officer were wounded in a landmine attack carried out by Maoist rebels in Surigao del Sur yesterday, Dec 18.
The KM 450 truck carrying the soldiers was cruising the national road towards a local market when a roadside bomb was detonated as their vehicle passed by the vicinity of Sitio Puerto, Maharlika village, Bislig City at around 12:10pm.
An elderly woman who hitched a ride with the soldiers was killed due to shrapnel wounds. She was identified as Lilia Lalisan, 63, a resident of Dona Carmen of Tagbina town.
Seven soldiers sustained minor injuries including 2nd Lieutenant Michael Pascua, their platoon leader.
The KM 450 truck carrying the soldiers was cruising the national road towards a local market when a roadside bomb was detonated as their vehicle passed by the vicinity of Sitio Puerto, Maharlika village, Bislig City at around 12:10pm.
An elderly woman who hitched a ride with the soldiers was killed due to shrapnel wounds. She was identified as Lilia Lalisan, 63, a resident of Dona Carmen of Tagbina town.
Seven soldiers sustained minor injuries including 2nd Lieutenant Michael Pascua, their platoon leader.
The other wounded personnel include Pfc Gregorio Dacayanan, Pfc Efraim Joy Manalili, Pfc John Rey Del Rosario, Pfc Renan Bertillo, Pfc Alberto Caballo and Pfc Mon Claire Fernandez. They were promptly brought to a local hospital for treatment of their minor injuries.
Mr Ednar Dayanghirang of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Process condemned the NPA's continuous employment of landmines.
"Those landmines have once again, put the lives of non-combatants to danger. The rebels are carrying out this attack in time during the calamitous flooding in Mindanao which claimed hundreds of lives," said Dayanghirang.
"Those landmines have once again, put the lives of non-combatants to danger. The rebels are carrying out this attack in time during the calamitous flooding in Mindanao which claimed hundreds of lives," said Dayanghirang.
The use of anti-personnel mines is prohibited under the Ottawa Treaty. The UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) likewise prohibits the use of conventional weapons that might indiscriminate effects. It is clearly provided in Protocol II which regulates the use of mines and booby traps.
Major Harold Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, deplores the NPAs use of improvised bombs filled with numerous shrapnels that fly to all directions when detonated.
"The death of Lalisan is a fine example of the disastrous effect of the employment of landmines in armed conflict. I humbly request all human rights advocates such as the Human Rights Watch and the leftist group KARAPATAN to condemn this clear violation of human rights by the CPP-NPA-NDF," said Cabunoc.
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