Soldiers unearth APMs in Agusan del Sur

By Alexander Lopez / Philippine News Agency

DEADLY. The 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army unearths three anti-personnel mines in Trento, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday afternoon (June 9, 2021). Officials said they were planted by the New People’s Army Guerrilla Front North of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee. (Photo courtesy of 67IB)

BUTUAN CITY – The Army’s 67th Infantry Battalion (67IB) found three anti-personnel mines (APMs) in Trento, Agusan del Sur.

In a statement Friday, the 67IB said the APMs were recovered in Sitio Cogonon, Barangay Salvacion on Wednesday afternoon with the assistance of civilians.

“The APMs were planted by New People’s Army insurgents belonging to the weakened Guerrilla Front North of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee,” the statement read.

The APMs were transported to the 67IB headquarters in Barangay Salingcomot, Baganga, Davao Oriental.

In the same statement, Col. Oliver Maquiling, commander of 701st Infantry Brigade, said the recovery manifests the continued use of the NPA of the explosives prohibited under the APM Ban Convention adopted by more than 160 states since 1999.

The ban includes the acquisition, production, stockpiling, and use of the weapons.

“These are the same APMs that killed innocent civilians and security forces in the past that should be stopped once and for all,” Maquiling said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)