By Jigger Jerusalem and Nef Luczon | Philippine News Agency
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A tip from a former communist guerrilla led to the discovery of 1,076 pieces of dynamites and anti-personnel landmines (APMs) from the New People’s Army (NPA) that were seized by the Philippine Army in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
A statement from the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) on Monday (Oct. 11) said former rebel leader Ronald Landasan alias “Gamay” or “Gaspar,” led the military to the dynamites that he claimed were being used as material to make APMs.
The Army discovered the cache in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay on Oct. 8.
Before his surrender, Landasan was a former squad leader of NPA’s Sentro De Gravidad Dario, Guerrilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The 8IB quoted Landasan as saying that he revealed the location of the hidden dynamites because he did not want them to be used against the soldiers and civilians.
According to the 8IB, Landasan said the dynamites were intended to be used by the NPA to wound and kill soldiers operating in the mountains of Bukidnon.
Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr., 8IB commander, reiterated that the NPA has violated the provisions of the Ottawa Treaty.
“We will also investigate and find out the source who gave the said dynamites to the (NPA) to file charges against them,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the seizure of the dynamites has prevented the plan of the NPA rebels to inflict harm against government soldiers and possibly innocent civilians.
The dynamites were turned over to the Bukidnon Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine for proper disposition. (PNA) – bny
