Soldier hurt in Sorsogon blast

MANILA, Philippines - A soldier was wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) believed planted by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas exploded in Sorsogon Friday.

Pfc. Jerlou Fiesta and his colleagues from the Army’s 903rd Infantry Battalion (IB) were on their way to Irosin town when their vehicle hit a bomb in Barangay Monbon at around 11:45 a.m., said Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesperson for the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

Fiesta and his group were part of a disaster response team dispatched to Irosin to prepare for Typhoon Ruby.

“The troops were in a civilian vehicle when the bomb exploded,” Guzman said adding Fiesta was taken to the Irosin District Hospital for treatment.

Solcom commander Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya condemned the attack, saying it will not deter the troops from ensuring the safety of the public, particularly during calamities.

“We are facing another natural threat. It was very inhumane for the NPA to launch offensives against our soldiers who were conducting humanitarian operations,” Visaya said.

Meanwhile, suspected NPA rebels harassed an Army patrol base in Tagkawayan town, Quezon yesterday morning, but no one was reported hurt or wounded.

The rebels reportedly fired grenades at the base in Barangay Mapulot at around 4 a.m., said Col. Roderick Parayno of the Army’s 201st IB.                – With Michelle Zoleta