2 Army rangers hurt in Basilan landmine blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Two Army rangers were wounded when an improvised bomb, rigged as landmine by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants, exploded Monday in a remote town in Basilan.

Wounded in the explosion were identified as Corporal Mark Dandin Gomez and Private First Class John Garde.

The victims were immediately provided treatment by US paramedics, who helped conduct the casualty evacuation mission.

Gomez was described to be critically injured as both victims were airlifted to the Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) inside the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters in this city.

The 104th Army Brigade reported that a platoon of Army rangers under the 13th Scout Ranger Company (SRC) were conducting a route security operation when they hit the improvised bomb at around 7:50 a.m. in Barangay Cabangalan, Ungkaya Pukan town.

The military has intensified surgical combat operations to flush out the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group.