DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 11, 2011) – Seven people were wounded in a grenade attack Friday by suspected communist New People’s Army rebel at a military checkpoint in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said four soldiers and a government militia, including two civilians were injured in the attack in the villageof San Roque in Panabo City. The rebel escaped after the blast.
“The attack occurred at around 6:30 p.m. while soldiers were manning the checkpoint near the village hall. Four soldiers, a government militia and two civilians were wounded in the explosion,” Army Captain Ricky Mercado, of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the wounded were rushed to hospitals in Panabo and Davao City. He said the soldiers were conducting a routine checkpoint in the village when the attack occurred.
Army Colonel Lyndon Paniza, a spokesman for the 10thInfantry Division, condemned the attack and said even innocent civilians were not spared by rebels.
“We strongly condemn the gross and blatant human rights violation of the New People’s Army. Their actions reek of desperation as they indiscriminately attack the civilians who are non-combatants in their bid to terrorize and project a deceptive image of strength among their diminishing supporters,” Paniza said.
Another group of communist rebels also executed Thursday an off-duty soldier, Corporal Wenie Carampatan, while on his way to bring his two kids and a nephew to school in Paquibato district in Davao City. The rebels are fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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