11 troopers wounded in Bansalan town NPA landmine attack feted

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 6): 11 troopers wounded in Bansalan town NPA landmine attack feted

The Davao City-based 10th Infantry Division on Wednesday has recognized the bravery of the 11 troopers of the 39th Infantry Battalion who were wounded by a rebel landmine attack in Barangay Managa, Bansalan town, Davao Del Sur last March 2.

The troops were conducting security operations against New People's Army (NPA) fighters conducting extortion and harassment missions in the said locality when the rebels treacherously detonated landmine, according to 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Ernesto Carolina.

"(The wounded soldiers) were recognized for their bravery while recovering in the Camp Panacan Station Hospital. The 10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Ariel B. Bernardo visited the troops to award them an initial 'Wounded Personnel Medal' and exchange stories about what was a successful raid conducted on an encampment of the NPA’s 'Front 51' group," he added.

In the encounter, the 39th Infantry Battalion troopers successfully penetrated through the NPA encampment’s first defense perimeter despite the latter being well-pitched defensively.

“What they did there was a daring feat considering that the NPA had a prepared defense complete with landmines,” Bernardo said.

In the said encounter, four of the rebels were killed and numerous others were wounded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=622590