The Phiippine Military claims in a news release this Wednesday in Manila that the "New People’s Army (NPA) rebels continue to violate Republic Act 9851 (RA 9851) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) after the recovery anew of several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being used as landmines." the statement reads.
The Philippine Armed Forces calls this a "Desperate move from the New People’s Army in Capiz province as they attempt to harass and target the armed forces Peace and Development Teams from the 61st Infantry Battalion or the 61IB deployed in Barangays Acuña of Tapaz town. The recovery of the landmines and IEDs after conducting pursuit operations is a concern that the rebels in desperation to block military moves may injure non-combatants." the military says warning civilians to be careful in the area.
The Military news release goes on to say that:
RA 9851 is the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, specifically Chapter III Section 4 c.5. – launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians.
CARHRIHL was signed on March 16, 1998 in the Hague, The Netherlands and was approved on April 10, 1998 by the NDFP National Council chairman Maria Orosa and on Aug. 7 that year by then President Joseph Estrada. NDFP represents the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
CARHRIHL states that parties should affirm and apply the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect the civilian population and individual civilians.
Recovered items are: fragments of two exploded landmines, 30 meters black electrical wire, One plastic bottle with ammonium nitrate and cloth soaked with gasoline, and more or less 500 pieces of cut bars measuring about 1 centimeter for landmine.
Also recovered are 131 empty shells of ammunition for M16 rifle, five rounds 5 rounds of live ammo for M16 rifle,12 empty ammunition shells of for M14 rifle, 13 rounds of live ammunition for M14 rifle, one unexploded M203 Grenade Launcher (GL) ammunition, 2 empty shells of M203 GL ammunition, 2 improvised torches made of coconut husk soaked with gasoline, one 1.5 liter empty bottle and one M16 rifle flash suppressor.
“These materiel are definitely anti-people, continue to violate international humanitarian law and RA 9851. We will do whatever it takes to get these banned weapons to preserve life”, said Mgen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., 3ID Commander.
The Army recently joined the growing number of civil society groups, the clergy and local officials in strongly condemning the continuous use of land mines by NPA. Countless loss of life and injury to civilians have been seen in the past years on the use of landmines.
An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team is currently conducting an inventory and classification of recovered items.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office earlier has said it will file charges against the NPA for violation of RA 9851.