MANILA, Philippines — Troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion (20IB), 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, discovered two anti-personnel mines while conducting combat patrol in the hinterlands of Barangay Sag-od, Las Navas, Northern Samar, on August 13, 2026.
Anti-personnel mines are prohibited under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, commonly known as the Ottawa Convention or Mine Ban Treaty, of which the Philippines is a State Party.
According to the Philippine Army, the presence of such devices in communities and conflict-affected areas poses a serious threat to civilians and security personnel because of their indiscriminate and enduring effects.
“It should be noted that the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) continues to use these banned mines without regard to the safety of communities they purported to protect.
“The recovery of these anti-personnel mines underscores the continuing threat posed by unlawful explosive devices to our troops and, more importantly, to innocent civilians. We commend our troops for their vigilance and professionalism, which led to the discovery of these explosives before they could potentially cause harm.” Lt. Col. Tim Clavel, Commanding Officer of 20IB said in a statement.
He further assured the public that the 20IB will continue to conduct focused security operations to prevent the use of explosive devices and help ensure the safety of communities in Northern Samar.
The 8th Infantry Division likewise condemned the continued possession and potential use of anti-personnel mines by CTG remnants, stressing that such weapons place civilians at unnecessary risk.
“The presence of anti-personnel mines in conflict-affected areas is a serious threat to the safety of the communities. Their indiscriminate nature can endanger anyone who may inadvertently encounter them, including civilians,” the Division stated.
The 8ID will remain steadfast in its mission to protect communities, uphold International Humanitarian Law, and support the government’s efforts toward the attainment of Stable Internal Peace and Security throughout Eastern Visayas.