1 soldier killed, 4 hurt in landmine explosion in Compostela Valley

MANILA, Philippines — One soldier was killed and four others were wounded in a landmine explosion in a remote village in Compostela Valley Monday afternoon, a military spokesman said.

Major Harold Cabunoc said troops from the Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion were conducting security patrols in San Vicente village, Montevista town at around 5:30p.m., when a landmine exploded as their vehicle passed by.

“As soldiers rushed for cover, at least 15 rebels opened fire triggering an intense firefight that lasted several minutes,” he said.

The rebels fled with their casualties after receiving “voluminous firers” from the soldiers, he added.

The wounded soldiers who sustained shrapnel and gunshot wounds were evacuated to ComVal Regional Hospital for treatment.

Cabunoc said the use of landmines by the rebels violated the laws of armed conflict and Republic Act No. 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity), punishing International Humanitarian Law violations as domestic crimes.

“The use of landmines also violates the agreement signed by both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front panel, as contained in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” he said.