4 Army soldiers survive landmine blast in Camarines Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30): 4 Army soldiers survive landmine blast in Camarines Sur

Four soldiers of the 83rd Infantry Battalion survived a landmine blast that hit their military vehicle while they were crossing Goa, Camarines Sur early Monday morning, said a belated report that reached the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Bicol on Tuesday.

Sr. Insp. Ma. Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of PRO5 here in Camp Simeon Ola, said the soldiers were returning to their camp after a physical fitness test when the landmine exploded around 5:45 a.m. on Monday at Barangay Pinaglabanan, Goa.
The soldiers were identified as Cpls. Benjamin Hernandez and Mark Wilson Ledesma, Pfcs Jeffrey Base and Darwin Otilla, all based at the Hiwacloy Detachment of the 83rd IB in Goa.

The soldiers were able to jump off their vehicle and were prepared to fight the suspected New People's Army rebels believed to be responsible for the explosion, Calubaquib said.

“But there was no firefight that ensued,” she said.

Army and police investigators said the rebels, who had fled to the hinterlands of the village, were out to harass the government troopers.

An Explosive Ordnance Team from the Goa Municipal Police Office led by Insp. Joennel Legazpi rushed to the scene to help the soldiers.

Investigation showed a metal barrier on the roadside was destroyed by the impact of the explosion which also created a crater-like hole in the ground nearby.

Investigators also found an orange-colored battery and a roll of cable wire that were used for the explosion.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/992085