text HADER GLANG
At least two soldiers were killed on Tuesday when a landmine exploded in the southern island of Tawi-Tawi, a military report reaching the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Command headquarters said.
The soldiers from the 11th Marine Battalion Landing Team were conducting reconnaissance patrol at Sitio Papatan, Barangay Baldata, Sapa-Sapa town when one of them accidentally stepped on a landmine, the report disclosed.
The blast victims – one of them an officer – were taken to Bongao hospital but they both expired upon reaching Lamion pier. Their names were withheld until their families have been notified, said Capt. Jose Ritche Pabilonia, Southcom information chief.
An effort to save their lives was executed by sending HH60 helicopter from the USNS Mercy, which landed at the Naval Station Bato-Bato in Panglima Sugala. The helicopter also landed in Sanga-Sanga airport, according to Pabilonia.
The Abu Sayyaf is reportedly active in Tawi-Tawi and in nearby Sulu island, but the military would not say if the group was behind the explosion.
“The case is under investigation and Southcom suspects that the landmine was planted by lawless elements operating in the island,” Pabilonia said. (ZS)
“The case is under investigation and Southcom suspects that the landmine was planted by lawless elements operating in the island,” Pabilonia said. (ZS)
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