7 soldiers wounded in Compostela Valley landmine blast

MANILA, Philippines–Seven Army soldiers were injured when a landmine planted by suspected communist rebels went off in Compostela Valley early Tuesday, the military said.

Captain Alberto Caber, public information officer of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the soldiers were on security patrol in sitio Lantaan, Napnapan village in Pantukan town at about 4 a.m. when the roadside bom exploded.

The wounded soldiers, one of whom was an officer, were immediately brought to Camp Panacan Station Hospital onboard two combat helicopters.

Names of the wounded soldiers were not immediately available pending the notification of their families.

Meanwhile, Eastmincom chief Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz directed ground troops to inspect the roads being used by the New People”s Army rebels to ensure they are free from landmines.