DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Mar. 13 (PIA) – Following the recent landmine explosion incidents owned by the communist rebels in the towns of Bansalan and Matanao in Davao del Sur, an advocacy campaign against the use of landmines in war fares is being pushed by the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL) in the province.
The group proposed this Tuesday to the provincial government of Davao del Sur and to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Region XI, to extend their advocacy efforts in the province after seeing the alarming concerns in the use of landmines.
PCBL national coordinator Alfredo Ferrariz Lubang said the use of landmines is a clear violation of the international humanitarian law and of the Geneva protocols.
The PCBL which is currently undertaking its advocacy drive in the Bangsamoro areas, intends to expand their efforts to include areas of the New People’s Army in Mindanao.
“We really need to bring awareness in the communities not just on the incidents but also on landmines and the international law that goes with it,” Lubang said in an interview.
He said developing advocacy materials will be part of the group’s preparations to carry on the campaign, and to link with lawmakers for the legislation of law banning landmines in the country.
Lubang also called on parties from the government and New People’s Army to allow the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines to independently verify the recent incidents in Davao del Sur.
“We will go around to investigate,” he stated, adding that “It’s good thing that the local government, the Army and the Police appreciate and welcome our initiatives.”
The first landmine explosion incident happened on March 2, when a convoy of ambulance of the Davao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Philippine Red Cross and of the 39th Infantry Battalion was hit by landmine blasts done by the NPA in a countryside barangay of Bansalan town.
The incident resulted to the wounding of four rescue volunteers from the PDRRMO. The group was about to fetch injured soldiers who engaged in an encounter earlier with the rebels.
This Monday at a barangay in the municipality of Matanao, another landmine explosion was perpetrated by the NPA elements who were believed to be under Front 72 according to the military.
This was during the height of the hot pursuit operation of the Philippine Army, following the NPA attack at Matanao Police Station in Matanao town early morning of same day that killed two police officers and injured three others.
The landmine explosion in Barangay Asbang, Matanao caused the death of seven soldiers and the wounding of eight soldiers from the 39th IB.
According to its website, PCBL is the country civil society campaign group on the landmines issue since 1995, a recognized affiliate of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).
It added that PCBL engages the Philippine government, the various rebel groups and the broader civil society to adopt the correct policy, measures, practice, views and action on the landmines issue. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)
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