Soldier killed in ComVal roadside blast

DAVAO CITY — A soldier was killed in a roadside bomb explosion allegedly perpetrated by communist New People’s Army rebels in New Bataan town in Compostela Valley late Friday night.

Lieutenant Rodel Daguio died while being brought to a hospital shortly after their military truck was hit by improvised explosive device along the road in Barangay (village) Bantacan at around 11 p.m. Friday, said Major Rosa Manuel, a civil-military officer of the 10th Infantry Division.

Manuel said three other soldiers– Private First Class Richie Ursal, Staff Sergeant Arnold Pacino and Corporal Jaime Clara –were injured in the attack.

Manuel told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the soldiers were on routine security patrol and were heading back to the 66th Infantry Brigade headquarters when the incident happened.

“It was an unexpected landmining because it was near vicinity of school and Iglesia ni Kristo church,” Manuel said.