MANILA, Philippines - A government militiaman was killed while two others were wounded after a grenade-booby trap went off in South Cotabato Sunday morning, according to the military.
Reports said that the explosion killed Moreno Eding while he was removing subversive streamers made out of sacks and bearing a message announcing the 46th anniversary of the New People's Army (NPA).
Meanwhile, Eding's two other companions, Dante Digdigan and Samuel Damucom, were wounded during the blast.
Reports said that the three militiamen were removing the streamers, which was placed along the road in the Poblacion, T'boli, South Cotabato around 7 a.m. Sunday when the booby trap went off.
The explosive device could have been touched and detonated by anyone in the community, including innocent civilians, the military said.
"Employing booby traps is an inhumane act and a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law because the trap cannot choose its targets," Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, said.
"The device was not command-detonated, and could have easily victimized any individual or barangay folks passing along this public road. It only manifests their true nature as terrorists," Baladad added.