5 soldiers, civilian hurt in NPA landmine attack in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26): 5 soldiers, civilian hurt in NPA landmine attack in North Cotabato

A landmine planted by Communist guerrillas along a road leading to an Army base left five soldiers and a civilian wounded on Friday in Barangay Kisante here.

Lt. Nasrullah Sema, 57th Infantry Battalion civil military operations chief, said the soldiers were on board a military truck on their way to the Charlie Company headquarters when it hit a landmine at about 11 p.m. Friday in Sitio Alang-Alang, Barangay Kisante. Wounded were Cpl. Mohammad Nur Sali, Cpl. Hassan Sarip, PFC Allan Urop, Pvt. Michael Purol and Pvt. Vincent Sumug-oy. Of the five wounded, Pfc Urop was in critical condition and airlifted to a Davao City hospital. A civilian who was asleep in his home sustained minor shrapnel injuries.

Sema said the landmine attack was likely a retaliation by communist New People's Army (NPA) who suffered heavy casualties in an encounter Tuesday in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. “Unfortunately, the rebels planted the explosive near populated areas so non-combatants were hit,” Sema said.

A soldier was killed and three others were wounded Tuesday in an encounter with the communist guerillas in the borders of Makilala and Kapatagan, Davao del Sur. Four communist guerillas were killed in that encounter. Sema said the rebels are making their presence felt in areas they used to influence but liberated by government forces because they will implement campaign fees for politicians.

Citing intelligence reports, Sema said the rebels are asking P5 million campaign fees if political candidates enter NPA controlled areas. A candidate for Congress need to shell out P500,000 to campaign in communities the rebels have influenced.

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