Davao del Sur mayor survives landmine blast

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — A re-electionist mayor survived a landmine blast, which left his police escort wounded, in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur the other day, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, 6th ID spokesman, said Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin and his escorts were on their way to the town proper when their vehicle struck the landmine, planted in a farm-to-market road in Barangay Bacungan.

One of Davin’s bodyguards, SPO1 Edwin Adlawan, was wounded in the explosion, he said.

Ando said the 25th Infantry Battalion, their unit based in Magsaysay town, is certain that communist guerrillas were behind the attempt to kill Davin, who has reportedly refused to pay a "campaign fee" to freely roam around remote villages during the campaign period.

The incident occurred just five days after elements of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion foiled an attempt by the New People’s Army to put up a command center in Barangay Lampaga in Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Five rebels were killed in the ensuing firefight, which erupted when the rebels opened fire on soldiers sent to verify their presence in Barangay Lampaga. — John Unson