Thursday, November 20, 2014

8ID Troops Seized NPA Explosives in Samar

Catbalogan City – Government troops seized several Improvised Explosive Devices in the hinterlands of the Municipality of Basey, Samar in the afternoon of November 19, 2014.

According to the report of Lt Col Miguel E. Ceballos, Commanding Officer, 20th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, his troops were conducting security operations in the vicinity of Sitio, Bega, Barangay Mabini, Basey Samar when some residents tipped-off the presence of suspicious wires laid along the trail in the outskirt of the said barangay. According to the residents, they believe that these wires are part of several IEDs planted intentionally to inflict casualties to government troops operating in the area. Further, the civilians' safety is threatened as these will also destroy innocent lives and properties.

Guided by concerned residents in the locality, the soldiers went to the said area and were able to recover twenty (20) sets of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). As of this time, government troops continue to scour the area for possible presence of more IEDs in the area.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Velarmino, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division extended his gratitude and thanks to the civilians who provided the information to that led to the successful recovery of said explosives. He further added that the action of the NPA is a clear manifestation that they violate the provisions stipulated under the Geneva Convention on the use of land mines in armed warfare. Velarmino further added that the 8ID under his leadership will stop at nothing in order to attain Peace and Development in Region VIII which is the dream of every SamareƱos in the region.