Soldier killed, 5 hurt in Maguindanao blast

From ABS-CBN (Feb 21): Soldier killed, 5 hurt in Maguindanao blast

A soldier died while five others were wounded in an explosion in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao on Friday evening.

Ltc. Jose Ambrosio Rustia, 57th Infantry Battalion commander, said the troops were about to rest after conducting clearing operations in Barangay Tee in Datu Salibo when an improvised explosive device went off.

The lone fatality was identified as Private First Class Jury Catalan. He died while on the way to the 6th Infantry Division for treatment.

The wounded were identified as Staff Sergeant Danilo Mondejar, 
SSG Renante Bolivar, PFC Raymundo Madis, PFC Von Chakie Viaje, and PFC Romnick Herminado.

Authorities said the marshland in Barangay Tee that served as a hiding place for members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) seemed to be abandoned now.

But IEDs were scattered all over the area. Three IEDs have been recovered by government forces so far.

"Wala ng resistance sa area so malamang nakatakbo na sa kung saan yung mga yun. Yung IEDs na tinanim nila ganon pa rin, black powder with nails," Rustia added.

It has been two weeks now since tension erupted between the military and the BIFF in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

The BIFF wanted to stop a dredging project in the municipality and even burned two backhoes.

On Thursday, a soldier was also killed while 5 others were wounded in an encounter in the area.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/02/20/16/soldier-killed-5-hurt-in-maguindanao-blast