Land mine unearthed; local rebel leader nabbed

By Ronilo L. Pamonag

Maj. Lyndon Sollesta

Government troops on Wednesday unearthed and neutralized an improvised anti-vehicular landmine believed to have been planted by the New People's Army along a dirt road in the mountainous town of Igbaras.

The recovery of the explosive came a week after a regional officer of the NPA was arrested in Kalibo, Aklan.

Maj. Lyndon Sollesta of the Philippine Army's 3 rd Infantry Division told The News Today that children herding cattle came upon a detonating cord sticking out of the all-weather gravel road Tuesday night. It was only in the morning of the following day that Army ordnance experts recovered the mine since it was dangerous to remove it during nighttime.

Sollesta wondered why it was planted in an area not frequently used by government troops in their patrol.

“Our troops, when they go out on patrol, do it on foot. And they do not pass by that area, which is instead frequently used by civilians,” Sollesta said, referring to the main road in Sitio Lawang, Barangay Igtalungan, five to six kilometers from the town proper, where the mine was discovered.

It must have been planted at least three days earlier because all signs of digging are no longer apparent, Sollesta said, adding that the improvised explosive was well-crafted.

He described the mine as encased in a cylindrical metal body, similar to a refrigerator's compressor, with the joints welded.

“We have no idea who really planted it, but it bears the signatures of the NPA; it is identical to the one they used during an ambush in San Remigio (in Antique),” Sollesta said. “And besides, who would have the motive to plant it there.”

In Kalibo, Aklan, Friday last week, two warrants of arrest were served on Fernando Baldomero, a member of the Panay Regional Party Committee.

But Sollesta stressed that Baldomero was arrested because he was charged of commission of common crimes. “His arrest has nothing to do with him being a member of the rebel movement.”

Baldomero is accused of participation in an ambush that killed an Army, a police officer and a civilian in San Remigio last year, and the burning of construction equipment of EC de Luna in Guimbal town, Iloilo also last year.

All in all, according to Sollesta, local courts have issued four warrants of arrest against Baldomero for multiple murder and frustrated murder.