CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Communist rebels on Thursday detonated an improvised explosive during a clash with government troops and wounded 3 people in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon, officials said.
Army Captain Lorenzo Siobal, a spokesman for the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said two soldiers and a village official were wounded when insurgents detonated the explosive while escaping from the military in the village called White Kulaman in Kitaotao town.
He said the injured were immediately evacuated to a military hospital in Davao City as soldiers continued pursuing New People’s Army rebels who previously harassed villagers in the area.
“The soldiers were conducting security patrol when they encountered the same NPA group that harassed the residents of barangay few days ago. The exchange of fire lasted for about 10 minutes, and thereafter the terrorists withdrew towards unknown direction,” Siobal said.
Siobal did not release the names of the wounded soldiers, but he identified the injured village official as William Ando. It was unknown if there were reports of rebel casualties.
“This latest incident once again exposes the blatant disregard of the Geneva Convention by the NPA as the continuously use IEDs against government troops and unarmed civilians who do not support their lost cause,” he said.
“This security operation is part of our commitment to protect the residents in the area from NPA threats and atrocities after they have renounced their support from the terrorist group. Our presence in the area wll remain until we have successfully driven out the NPA and delivery of government services and projects are ensured,” Siobal also quoted his commander, Colonel Jesse Alvarez, as saying.
There was no immediate statement from the NPA, which is fighting the democratic government for many decades now in an effort to put up a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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