AT LEAST 163 pieces of landmines and a generator were recovered in the Regional New People’s Army (NPA) Landmine Factory located at Sitio Mampait in Barangay Kauswagan, Loreto town in Agusan del Sur.
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) Public Information Office head Capt. Alberto Caber, in a text message, said troops belonging to the Army’s 1003rd Brigade recovered the landmines at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
“It’s not important kung paano nalaman ng mga civilians ang tungkol sa factory nila (NPA). Ang gusto lang nila (residents) ay isang mapayapang pamumuhay sa lugar nila. When they knew na may factory pala sa area, ni report na nila kaagad sa tropa,” Caber said.
Caber added that the information was released just on Friday because they still have to conduct an inventory on the landmines recovered from Sitio Mampait in Barangay Kauswagan.
Eastmincom commander Ricardo Rainer G. Cruz III, on the other hand, said this is the biggest NPA landmine factory discovered so far under his leadership, adding that the recovery of the landmines saved the lives of the people.
“The National Democratic Front (NDF) wants to talk peace with the Government of the Philippines; however, they still continue to manufacture weapons of mass destruction. It is clear that the NDF are not really sincere about peace after all,” Cruz said.
Cruz said the government troops condemned the use of landmines especially it is a mere violation of the provision under Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian law (CARHRIHL).
Cruz also vowed to continue to safeguard the people from NPA extortion, deception and intimidation. He said their troops will continue its pursuit and security operations in the concerned areas.
Caber said the Eastmincom recorded a total of 453 landmines exploded, killing 128 and wounding 325 individuals since 2010.