Soldiers wounded in NPA landmine attack identified

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 3): Soldiers wounded in NPA landmine attack identified

The 10th Infantry Division on Tuesday identified the seven troops wounded following a New People's Army landmine attack in Sitio Lantaan, Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan town, Compostela Valley Province Tuesday morning.

Capt. Raul Villegas, unit spokesperson, said that these men are all assigned to 28th Infantry Battalion.

The wounded were identified as 1st Lt. Marvin Liel L. Gammad, Sgt. Johnny Nacion and Pfcs. Ryan D. Dumagat, Sosito Palmera, Rechie C. Cabag, John Russel E. Veran and Reynold L. Yula.

The incident took place around 4:13 a.m.

The wounded troops were immediately airlifted to Camp Panacan Station Hospital via two combat helicopters.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, Eastern Mindanao Command chief, earlier said that he has already directed ground troops to inspect the trails and road nets that are regularly used by the communities to prevent a repeat of the incident.

He also called the rebels use of landmines is a desperatemove of the NPAs to delay the combat patrols aimed at pushing them away from the communities who are already complaining of fear and extortion.

The use of landmine is a violation of the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=561816