The insurgency is one of the persistent problems of the country, especially in remote areas and provinces.
Two soldiers were wounded after a landmine exploded during an ambush by suspected communist rebels on government troops in Davao del Norte Tuesday morning.
The wounded soldiers, who belonged to the Philippine Army's 68th Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Division, were on security patrol around 7:50 a.m. in Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, when a landmine exploded.
The soldiers sustained minor shrapnel wounds and burns due to the blast. Other soldiers helped and applied first aid immediately to their wounded companions, the military said. The two soldiers are now in stable condition.
The military said that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are being used as landmines by New People's Army (NPA) bandits in their attack against civilians, civilian infrastructure and government troops.
Lt. Col. Zosimo Oliveros, 68th IB commander, said that the bandits immediately withdrew after a 20-minute firefight in the area.
"Pursuit operations are still ongoing," Oliveros said.
Civilians said that the bandits planted several landmines in the area to scare the villagers.
Military officials have condemned the continuous NPA rebels' manufacture and use of IED or landmines because these are prohibited under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Yet another incident in the Talaingod area of Davao del Norte province. This is the same area that CPP front organizations have condemned the actions of the Philippine military and called for the withdrawal of the 68th Infantry Battalion.
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