The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Negros Oriental said the New People’s Army (NPA) violated human rights law when they used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during an ambush attempt in Guihulngan City’s Barangay Luz last week. CHR-Negros Oriental chief, Dr. Jess Cañete, said they conducted an investigation in the area where the ambush took place and confirmed the rebels did use an explosive device.
He explained, by using IEDs, they put the lives of innocent civilians at risk. He added, the use of IEDs is prohibited as it violates the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, along with an agreement made between the Philippine government and the NPA’s political wing, the National Democratic Front.
The CHR official said they are trying to get in touch with the rebel group over the issue.
Last week, elements of the Philippine Army 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB), led by 2nd Lt. Niel Christian Cureg, were aboard a military vehicle and traversing a road between the said locality and Isabela, Negros Occidental when rebels detonated an IED.
After the explosion, the troop convoy came under fire from at least five NPA insurgents, although troops from the 94IB managed to defend themselves and eventually routed the rebels.
The NPA, meanwhile, also confirmed that an ambush took place. However, they claimed to have killed two soldiers./DGB, WDJ