Soldier killed in Northern Samar NPA landmine attack

MANILA, Philippines — A soldier was killed and five others were wounded after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels detonated anti-personnel mines while government troopers were conducting community support programs (CSPs) in Catubig, Northern Samar yesterday.

“The casualties were transported to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center for appropriate medical attention,” the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) said in a statement.

Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo showed the soldiers were facilitating the conduct of CSP in Barangay Osang and five other villages in Northern Samar when communist rebels set off the landmines.

Last July 5, seven soldiers were wounded in another landmine attack in Barangay Magsaysay in Mapanas, Northern Samar.

Two policemen were killed and four other government troopers were wounded in a landmine attack in Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas, Northern Samar on April 3.

Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, 20th IB commander, said the attacks were a clear violation of the Ottawa Convention or Mine Ban Treaty that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.

Buban said the leadership of the National Democratic Front should be held liable for not taking any effort to stop the NPA, its armed wing, from its continuing production, stockpile, transport and use of landmines.