FIRE IN THE HOLE!
23rd IB Disposed Seized Bomb-Making Materials, IEDs
Seized bomb-making materials and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a series of intensified combat operations in Agusan del Norte were disposed of by the troopers of 23rd Infantry Battalion on Friday, July 17 in its headquarters in Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. The disposal of the explosives was conducted with the support of the explosive and ordnance teams from the 23rd IB and the Philippine National Police Mobile Force Battalion 12.
The explosives and materials disposed of include the recovered eight (8) pieces anti-personnel mines and the two hundred fifty-four (254) packs of Ammonium Nitrate placed in eleven (11) plastic containers.
The disposal was aimed to provide information on how ruinous the explosives are to persons, properties, communities and most especially to innocent civilians. IEDs are strictly prohibited because it does not only inflict casualties on government forces but also ordinary people in villages. The use of IEDs is a violation of international agreements, including the Ottawa Treaty, Geneva Convention, and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
This is not the first time the 23rd IB disposed of the IEDs it recovered from the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) during military operations. It can be recalled that on 25 September 2019, the 23rd IB and PNP also disposed and detonated IEDs recovered during the conduct of intensified Joint AFP-PNP Focused Military Operations against the CNTs. A total of one hundred five (105) IEDs, ten (10) pcs Claymore mines and five hundred twenty-six (526) Nitro 1500 TNTs with twelve (12) blasting caps were disposed of on the said date.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C Paulo, Acting Commanding Officer said the recovery of the IEDs and war materiel reduced the enemy’s capability to inflict casualties not only to the military but also to the civilians. “The 23rd IB degraded significantly the capability of the CNTs in terms of firepower and techniques, tactics and procedures (TTPs),” Paulo said. He also emphasized that the Army recovered the war materiel because of the active cooperation of the residents who pointed out the location of the IEDs.
“We express gratitude to the people who bravely contributed to the recovery of those IEDs that cause danger to the public. IEDs are purposely made to inflict casualties to the passing government forces including innocent civilians,” Paulo said.
He stressed that the CNTs do not adhere to the provisions of the IHL by doing prohibited explosives which is a violation of the Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
“The CNTs only use these laws for their claims and propagandas but in reality, they do not believe and adhere to these laws as evidenced on the hundreds of landmines and explosives we recovered in villages that greatly endangered the lives of ordinary civilians. The CNTs planted these IEDs anywhere especially on trails commonly used by ordinary residents when going to their farms and villages,” Paulo said.
He said the explosion during the disposal of the seized IEDs will tell how lethal the war materials are to soldiers and ordinary civilians.
“I witnessed and experienced the blast though I was positioned far from the blast site during the disposal. Just imagine if one of our soldiers or an ordinary civilian walking to his farm is near the blast site. The damages would be very devastating, and lives will be lost,” Paulo said.
He called on the remaining CNTs in Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental to stop the madness of placing and hiding deadly explosives near the populated areas and human trails.
“Planting a disastrous explosive in areas where you are not certain whether a soldier or a civilian would pass by is stupidity in the truest sense. I ask you to stop such irrational and reckless practices, instead, abandon the movement that continues to carry foolish ideology, return to the folds of the law and live in a normal and happy life with your family,” Paulo said.