A SIX-year-old child was killed and her five-year-old younger sister was wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Barangay Tacayan, Tapaz, Capiz last Sunday afternoon around 4:30 p.m.
Captain Reylan Java, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, identified the victim as Rodelyn Aguirre who died on the spot while wounded is her 5-year-old sister Roda.
Based on the initial report, the explosion was caused by the lapses in the process of assembling of the IED by the members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
At least two unidentified members of the NPA were also seriously wounded during the explosion as revealed by the civilian witnesses.
Java added the IED is to be used by the rebels for their terrorist activities in Capiz and other parts of Panay.
Last February 20, 2012, the NPA members used IED to bomb the La Casa Transloading Station of Sugarcane Central in Barangay Mianay, Sigma, Capiz for failure to give in to their demand of extortion money.
On August 2011, the NPA members also laid IED when they ambushed the army personnel belonging to the 61st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Switch, Tapaz, Capiz.
They also set up two IEDs near the Igcabugao Elementary School in Igbaras, Iloilo sometime March of 2010 but were recovered by army personnel conducting peace and development works.
Based on the military record, a total of seven IEDs were recovered by the 82nd Infantry Battalion in various NPA encampments in Igbaras and Miagao, both in Iloilo province, on 2009.
Major General Jose Mabanta, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz, extended his deepest sympathy to the victims of the incident.
“We appeal to the leadership of the NPA to spare our children from harm and stay away from the communities that choose to live in peace,” said MGen Mabanta.
“The four decades of armed struggle have only brought senseless deaths and miseries to the lives of innocent civilians,” Mabanta added.
He also said social problems in our country can easily be solved in an environment of peace rather than through armed struggle.
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TE | SunStar.Com.Ph | March 12,2012 | Article Link
