A young Army officer died in a roadside bombing allegedly perpetrated by communist rebels in a remote area in Oas, Albay on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honored 2Lt Nico Malcampo of the 9th Infantry Division for defending a community in Oas town against the presence of communist rebels.
Based on the report, Malcampo led a team of soldiers in Oas town after receiving reports of the presence of armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA).
But he suffered serious injuries after being hit in a roadside bombing while on their way.
Malcampo is a graduate of the Army's Officers Candidate Course in 2020.
"He was leading his team when he was fatally wounded by a cowardly act of the communist terrorists who employed anti-personnel mine (APM) that also wounded three soldiers," the AFP statement read.
"The AFP extends its sincerest condolences to the family of 2Lt Nico Malcampo. His sacrifice will not be in vain as we push forward in our mission to bring to justice every communist terrorist and fully end the communist armed conflict in the country," it added.
The AFP has been protesting the use of anti-personnel mines, saying it is banned under the International Humanitarian Law cements their status as a terrorist organization.