Army recovers landmines in Northern Samar

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Tuesday 19th of June 2012

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 19 (PIA) -- Four landmines and other paraphernalia were recovered by the elements of the 63rd Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Colonel Dante B. Barotilla at Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar on June 17.

Lt. Colonel Arvin Lagamon, chief of the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, informed the Philippine Information Agency that at around 1:57 p.m., Sunday, the military encountered some 30 members of the New People’s Army at the vicinity of Barangay Geparayan in Silvino Lobos town.

Pfc Rolly S. Lapitan from the Geparayan CAFGU Active Auxiliary Patrol Base led the operating troops during the encounter which resulted to the recovery of four landmines, six backpacks, six rolls electrical wires, one ICOM, one binocular, and assorted magazine with live ammunition.

No casualties were reported on the government side Lagamon reported.

To recall, the 8ID is continuously conducting Peace and Development Activities (PDA) in Samar Island to assist the local government in identifying and addressing the primary needs of the communities.

Lagamon said that the PDA is being conducted in close coordination and collaboration with the local government units, local government agencies, civic groups, and other stakeholders in order to have a peaceful and progressive community.

“However, the NPA continuously perpetrates illegal acts such as landmine operations in order to sow fear among civilian communities and hamper development in the region.” Lagamon said.

These landmines not only cause undue harm but also endanger the lives of the civilians living in the area, Layug added. (EOPT-PIA 8)