TWO individuals were killed after anti-personnel mines (APM) allegedly planted by communist rebels went off in Barangay Magsaysay, Las Navas, Northern Samar over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

The AFP condemned the incident, which resulted in the death of Roel Lebico and Jason Cabe, who were on their way home from work when the incident happened.

Lebico and Cabe were working on a construction of farm-to-market road in the town.

“The communist terrorist group detonated an APM and fired their guns on them in another case of [international human rights] violation by the [communist rebels],” said the AFP.

The AFP heightened operations in the area to prevent similar attacks and to pursue the members of the communist group there.

“Lastly, we extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims as we vow to help find and exact justice for the perpetrators of this incident,” the AFP said.

“We will lend our hands for the apprehension of those responsible and in the filing of appropriate cases against them until the people's call for justice is fulfilled,” it added. (SunStar Philippines)