Civilian killed, 1 hurt in NPA landmine attack

MANILA, Philippines - One civilian was killed and another was hurt after communist rebels staged a landmine attack in Davao City last Monday, the military said.

Cpt. Raul Villegas, spokesman of the Army’s 10th division, said members of the New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed a team from a civilian volunteer organization in Paquibato District around 9 a.m. 

The volunteers were reportedly on their way to Sitio Butay when the insurgents detonated a landmine. 

Villegas said a certain Onded Ambuas died when shrapnels hit his back while a certain Julian Mandacawan sustained wounds on his head. The body of Ambuas was brought to his family at Sitio Mangani in Barangay Tapak. 

Meanwhile, soldiers in Capiz recovered a firearm from the NPA after conducting security operations in Tapaz town. 

Troops from the 61st battalion seized one M1 Garand Rifle with one clip containing eight live ammunitions from the rebels last Monday. 

Maj. Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Army’s 10th division, said the operation was meant to foil the NPA’s atrocities in the area.

“Armed struggle and violence is not the solution to our problems. We continuously encourage and call upon those who have gone through the wrong path to lay down their arms and renounce the armed violence,” said Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Army’s 3rd division.