IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – Through the revelation of a former CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT), a total of 1,076 pieces of 22mm x 189 grams dynamites and one anti-personnel mine (APM) were seized by the joint elements of the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army, Bukidnon Provincial Intelligence Unit, Bukidnon Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine last October 8, 2021, at Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
According to Ronald Landasan alias Gamay/Gaspar, 47 years old, a former Squad Leader of Sentro De Gravidad (SDG) Dario, Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), the said dynamites buried were to be used by the CNTs to make APMs.
Landasan added, “Gitug-an nako kining mga dinamita tungod dili nako gusto nga magamit kini batuk sa mga sundalo ug mga sibilyan. Kini unta gamiton sa mga NPA aron masamdan ug mamatay ang mga sundalo nga nag operate sa bukid sa Bukidnon.” (I revealed the dynamites because I don’t want them to be used against the soldiers and civilians. They were intended to be used by the CNTs to wound and kill the soldiers operating in the mountains of Bukidnon.)
LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, expressed, “Kami karon nakig-alayun na sa PNP aron makapasaka og igong kaso batuk sa mga CNT. Sila nakalapas sa Ottawa Convention nga nagadili sa pagbuhat, pag-ipon, paggamit ug pagbalhin sa mga anti-personnel mines. Plano usab namo nga imbestigahan kinsa nga mga tao o grupo nga nahimong source og mihatag sa maong mga dinamita aron mapasakaan usab og kaso.” (We are coordinating with the PNP to file appropriate charges against the CNTs. They have violated the Ottawa Convention which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. We will also investigate and find out the source who gave the said dynamites to the CNTs to file charges against them.)
BGen Ferdinand Barandon, the Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade, also stated, “Gidayeg nato karon ang 8IB ug ang Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (PPO) tungod ang pagka-kumpiska nato sa sobra libo nga mga dinamita usa ka dakong butang. Napakgang nato ang plano sa CNT nga mobuhat ug kadautan batuk sa mga kasundalohan, ilabi na nga dako ang puruhan nga adunay mga inosenteng sibilyan nga maangin niini.” (We congratulate 8IB and Bukidnon PPO because the seizure of more than one thousand dynamites prevented the plan of the CNTs to inflict harm against our soldiers, specially that it can also harm innocent civilians.)
The said dynamites were turned over to Bukidnon Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine for proper disposition.
It can be recalled that Landasan recently surrendered to the 8IB together with his wife, Diden, and two daughters, Honey Mae and Yassi.
