9 soldiers, including presidential guards, wounded by Marawi bomb
Nine soldiers, including seven members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), were wounded in a roadside blast in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday morning, a day ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s scheduled visit.
Another Inquirer report, however, said that five members of the PSG were wounded.
A convoy of PSG personnel, RTVM and local troop escorts were waylaid by roadside improvised explosive device blast in Sitio (sub-village) Malupay while enroute to Marawi around 10:30 to 11 a.m., Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
The PSG personnel served as the advance party for the President’s visit on Wednesday.
Of the seven members of the PSG, one was a military officer and the six were enlisted personnel. Two of the wounded troops were regular troops.
“Most were slightly injured except for one PSG member who sustained serious injuries,” Padilla said.
A presidential chopper airlifted the wounded troops to an undisclosed medical facility for emergency care.
Names of the victims have not been released as their families have yet to be informed.
PSG spokesman Lt. Colonel Michael Aquino said assessment was being made to identify the explosive and who was behind the attack.
He said it could not be said yet if the attack was aimed at the President or only as a result of the ongoing operations in the area.
The PSG official assured the public that the PSG members were “well trained and prepared to ensure the safety of the President.”
“Tight talaga ang security natin, kahit saan tayo magpunta, hindi naman tayo nagpapabaya, talagang alert tayo, naka-alert tayo palagi. At tsaka yung mga tropa natin, trained talaga iyan, maganda rin ang mga training ng tropa natin (Our security is tight, wherever we go, we don’t neglect our duties, we are always on alert. And our troops are well-trained),” Aquino said. RAM/rga
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