There were two Vietnamese observers on the car that hit a mine in the Philippines.
Two Vietnamese observers on a vehicle that hit a mine used by rebels in the southern Philippines are safe.
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NPA rebels in the Sierra Madre mountain range, Philippines, November 2016. Photo:AP. |
The Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines was informed by local authorities that two Vietnamese citizens were on the convoy that was attacked, but no one was injured. The Embassy is coordinating with local authorities to find out information about these two people and is ready to take necessary citizen protection measures, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The New People's Army (NPA) rebel group on May 30 detonated an anti-personnel mine targeting a convoy carrying Philippine soldiers, local volunteers, and observers from Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia passing through Impasugong town in Bukidnon province, southern Philippines.
The delegation was monitoring the activities of a local NGO dedicated to preserving indigenous cultures. At least 11 people were injured in the attack, including seven Filipino soldiers.
The NPA is a separatist rebel force that has been operating in the southern Philippines since the 1960s and regularly carries out attacks on the military and government officials. The NPA is considered a terrorist organization by the Philippines, the US, the EU, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
