Soldier, 2 civilians hurt in landmine blast

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – A soldier and two civilians were wounded when the military truck they were riding in struck a remote-controlled landmine suspected to have been planted by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a far-flung village in Magpet, North Cotabato Thursday afternoon.

Reports from the tactical command post of the Army’s 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division based in Awang, Maguindanao said the victims had come from a medical mission in a village at the foot of Mt. Apo and ran into the landmine when they reached Sitio Timpuran, Barangay Basak in Magpet town.

The reports identified the three as Pfc. Esmael Ampatuan, of the 57th Infantry Battalion, and Kidapawan City residents Antonio Tamunan and Eric Magalunas.

Col. Milfredo Melegrito, commanding officer of the 57th IB, blamed the attack on a certain Kumander Jasmin of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front Committee 53. – Ramil Bajo