Two soldier of the 3rd Infantry Battalion were wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Lower Sitio Camarag, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, the commander of 3rd IB, told TIMES yesterday that the two soldiers were sustained shrapnel wounds. The blast occurred approximately five meters away from the vehicle, which also damaged the KM450.
The perpetrators were believed to be members of the Pulang Bagani Command 2 led by alias Gab and alias Aldrien.
He said the troops, led by 2Lt Jeno Andig, team leader of the community support program of Charlie Company, were visiting the village to facilitate the delivery of basic services.
“While clearing the possible enemy location of IED blasters, the troops were fired upon by more or less 10 NPA members, which prompted the troops to retaliate and forced the rebels to escape into different directions,” he added.
He said they are currently conducting pursuing a manhunt operation on the group.
Further, the slightly injured personnel were brought to Camp Panacan hospital for treatment.
“This brazen act of terrorism is clearly a manifestation of the group’s criminal nature by continuously violating the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention by using landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that frighten the peace-loving Davaoeños,” Partuza said.
Chief. Insp. Milgrace Driz, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, identified the two soldiers as Pfc. Jejomar Judan and Sgt. Enrique Genon.
Upon conducting a clearing operation, they were able to recover fragments of two IEDs.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, the newly designated commander of 3rd IB, said the two soldiers are now in stable condition at Camp Panacan hospital.
“They just sustained slight injuries,” Partuza said.
“We will conduct an in-depth investigation and help our AFP counterparts on the filing of cases,” Driz said.
“The PRO 11 condemns this act since they are still using landmines as an obvious violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),” she added.
