ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) deployed additional troops to Janiuay, Iloilo following Wednesday’s detonation of an alleged improvised explosive device (IED) in the boundary of barangays Pangilihan and Canawili of the town.
Major Cenon Pancito III, 3ID spokesperson, said they have to send more soldiers there to “secure ongoing projects” such as the provincial government agroforestry support facility in nearby Barangay Panuran.
He also said the 3ID will help in the investigation of the blast to “reach a definite conclusion.”
“However, based on the manner and the characteristics of the incident, it can be initially assessed that it was perpetrated by the terrorists,” he said.
“The use of IED is an old tactic of the NPA (New People’s Army). In fact, it is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law but the rebels continue to justify its use. Here in Panay Island, there were previously incidents of a similar in nature,” Pancito said.
“The 3ID will never allow the NPA’s desperate actions derail the government’s peace and development efforts in the area,” he stressed.
The explosion happened while personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion Region 6 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were conducting a clearing operation prior to the groundbreaking of the Japan International Cooperation Agency-funded agro-forestry support facility.
No one was hurt in the blast./PN
