Belated reports reaching Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday identified one of the rebels killed in blast as Alfredo Mapano, a member of the executive committee of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the Caraga region.
There were no immediate reports on the identities of the other rebel fatalities.
The reports made to Camp Aguinaldo said the rebels were conducting a training exercise on the use of landmines when the explosion occurred along the road leading to Barangay Kinamaybay in Esperanza town on April 25.
AFP Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said the rebels were being taught how to plant the explosives when one of the landmines prematurely exploded in their midst.
The incident was initially reported to the military hours later but it was only confirmed only Friday, hence the delay of the report, Lucero said.
Despite the worldwide ban on the use of landmines, the NPA has extensively used the explosive devices to attack military convoys and other targets.
Landmines has been a very effective weapon used by the communist rebels against the military and police.
Most often, civilians end up being getting maimed of killed by land mines planted by the rebels.
The NPA is stepping its attacks in the rural areas to exert more pressure from local candidates running in the May 10 elections politicians into giving money before allowing them to campaign. - Jaime Laude