NDF to compensate Davao landmine blast victims

MANILA, Philippines - The National Democratic Front (NDF) has ordered the giving of compensation to civilians who were wounded in a landmine blast in Davao del Sur early this month.

The military, however, said compensating the victims would not remove the criminal liability of those behind the atrocity.

Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDF Southern Mindanao chapter, said third-party facilitators composed of church people, medical practitioners and other advocates have been requested to expedite the indemnity.

“The order acts upon the apology and recommendations submitted by the Southern Mindanao Regional Command of the New People’s Army (NPA),” Del Mundo said in a statement.

“The revolutionary government is intrinsically founded on the absolute res-pect for human rights and international humanitarian law,” she added.

The NDF statement did not provide details as to how the wounded civilians would get their compensation.

At least 15 people, including four civilians, were wounded in violent incidents involving the NPA last March 2 in Barangay Managa in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Eleven soldiers were wounded in a clash with NPA rebels in the area, while at least four non-combatants were hurt after a convoy of ambulances sent to assist the wounded soldiers hit a landmine. 

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces public affairs chief, said the indemnity shows the communist rebels’ guilt.

“Such payment does not mean that everything is okay. It does not mean that they are no longer liable for their actions,” Zagala said. 

“Their continued use of landmine shows their terrorist tendency,” he added.