Military troops discovered banned anti-personnel mines belonging to the New People's Army (NPA) on the outskirts of Llorente, Eastern Samar. Troops of the Army's 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB) found the landmine cache in upland Antipilo village in Llorente town on Thursday. In a statement on Friday, Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, commander of the 78IB, said a joint operation with Llorente's municipal police station led to the discovery of four mines, which are banned under the International Humanitarian Law, a rifle grenade, 22 carbine ammunition, four handheld radios, and other NPA belongings. Bugaoan said the prohibited war materials belonged to the remnants of the Apoy platoon under the Eastern Visayas regional party committee of the NPA. The military earlier said NPA rebels resort to such explosives because they have no capability to face soldiers in an armed encounter. Bugaoan attributed the successful operation to the information from locals and former rebels of the Apoy Platoon. "I encourage all commu nity members to continue working with the government to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone," he said. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, commended the joint operation's troops for working hand in hand in pursuit of lasting peace in the area. 'On behalf of the peace-loving citizens, we are grateful to the residents of Antipolo village in Llorente town for their collective effort to finally end the local communist armed conflict,' Vestuir said. He said he believes the rebels buried their explosives and firearms after the death and surrender of several members of the Apoy Platoon. The deployment of the 802nd Infantry Brigade in Samar Island on June 1, 2023 reduced Apoy Platoon's manpower from 47 to just 11 this month. Source: Philippines News Agency
