1 trooper killed, 6 wounded in NPA landmine attack in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 25): 1 trooper killed, 6 wounded in NPA landmine attack in Northern Samar

A member of the 8th Infantry Division's 20th Infantry Battalion was killed while six other troopers were wounded after New People's Army (NPA) rebels detonated a landmine in Victoria, Northern Samar Tuesday morning.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the soldiers were on their way to provide manpower support to peace and development programs in the locality when the rebels detonated a landmine around 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Lungib, Victoria town.

The explosion killed a soldier and wounded six others.

However, the military managed to engage their attackers who retreated after a 30-minute firefight.

“It is unfortunate that while our troops are implementing the peace and development programs to help the people in the interior barangays, the NPAs continue perpetrating terroristic activities detrimental to our people and the peace and development programs intended to uplift their welfare," Gutierrez said.

"We call on peace-loving people to add their voices to condemn this barbaric act of the NPAs. We also call among the members of the NPAs to return the mainstream, avail of the government programs for former rebels and contribute to nation-building,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537989