Military boosts troop presence

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be increasing their troop presence in the area during the ongoing Holy Week observance in order to prevent possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We deployed more troops to the mountainous areas of Iloilo that have reported [the] presence of rebels,” explained Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) commander, Lt. Colonel Joel Benedict Batara. “We are beefing up our personnel and have soldiers [on standby] for augmentation.”

The military battalion recently seized improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during an encounter earlier this week in Barangay Masaroy, Calinog, Iloilo. According to authorities, such weaponry is indicative of plans to conduct further attacks.

Also confiscated were a 30-caliber Garand rifle, M79 grenade launcher, 12-gauge shotgun, .38-caliber  revolver, eight rounds of 40mm bullets, and four rifle grenades.

Earlier this month, a gun battle between government forces and the NPA erupted in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, said seven of their personnel were wounded after insurgents exploded IEDs when they overran their encampment.

He added, the use of anti-personnel mines is a “clear violation” of the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Also called the “Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention,” the policy took effect on March 1, 1999./WDJ