2 soldiers killed, 13 hurt as landmine explodes in South Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Two soldiers were killed while 13 others were hurt when the vehicle they were riding in passed by a landmine that exploded during their pursuit operations against communist guerrillas in Tampakan, South Cotabato, on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Ronald Alcudia, 27th Infantry Battalion commander, confirmed the attack but refused to identify the victims. He said a manhunt operation has started.

The soldiers were heading to Barangay (village) Datalbiao, Tampakan, South Cotabato, to reinforce government militia who were harassed by the New People’s Army guerrillas on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in Sitio Kampo 2, Barangay Danlag, Tampakan, a landmine exploded as the Army vehicle was passing by at 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

Army and police officials believed the landmine attack was part of the harassment by the NPA of a militia detachment in Barangay Datalbiao, also in Tampakan, that left Mark Lozada, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, dead.

Alcudia refused to issue comments when he visited his wounded men at the South Cotabato provincial hospital in Koronadal City.

The NPA has infiltrated the interior barangays (villages) of Tampakan, South Cotabato, where it opposed mining activities in the borders of South Cotabato and Davao del Sur.