8 soldiers wounded in Cotabato landmine blast

MANILA, Philippines—Eight soldiers were wounded after a landmine allegedly planted by communist guerrillas went off early Friday in Makilala town, in Cotabato, the military said.

Soldiers from the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion were traversing Luna Norte village when the landmine went off at 12:45 a.m., said Captain Alberto Caber, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Quoting reports from the Lieutenant Colonel Nilo Vinluan, commanding officer of the 57th IB, Caber said they were able to monitor that New People’s Army members planned to resume attacks on communities.

The wounded soldiers were brought to Kidapawan Hospital for treatment.

Last October, a twin landmine attack by the NPA in Tulunan and Makilala left nine soldiers dead and six others wounded.

In September, the NPA also attacked a rubber plantation that caused P20 million worth of damage.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz had previously ordered ground troops to conduct security patrols against the NPA.