Soldier hurt by land mine blast in Sorsogon

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – A soldier on his way to assist residents who might be affected by Typhoon Ruby was injured by an improvised explosive device in Sorsogon on Friday morning, the Army said.

Pfc. Jerlou Fiesta, 27, of the 31st Infantry Battalion, was driving a car to the town of Irosin when he hit the explosive, classified as an anti-personnel land mine, planted on the road in Barangay Monbon around 11:45 a.m., said Lt. Clint Antipala, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade based in Castilla, Sorsogon.

Antipala said the soldier was wounded on both cheeks and left shoulder. He was taken to the Irosin District Hospital where he was treated and declared out of danger.

Antipala said Fiesta was on his way to the Irosin municipal hall to help man the Sorsogon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s operation center that was activated in anticipation of the arrival of the typhoon in Bicol.

Capt. Mardjorie Panesa, public affairs officer of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur, said the land mine was believed to have been planted in the area by New People’s Army.