Military armored vehicle hits landmine in Basilan; troops unhurt

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 22): Military armored vehicle hits landmine in Basilan; troops unhurt

Government forces escaped unscathed Thursday an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion perpetrated by suspected Abu Sayyaf brigands in Basilan province, an official disclosed.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the explosion occurred around 1:15 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan.

Muyuela said the troops were conducting security and resupply operations when the V-150 “commando” armored vehicle they were riding accidentally tripped on an IED fashioned out as a landmine along the Pamatsaken-Baiwas road.

Muyuela said there was no casualty and the armored vehicle was not damaged during the incident.

The vehicle belongs to the 11th Light Armored Cavalry Troop (11LACT) of the Army’s 1st Light Armored Battalion (1LAB).

The area where the incident occurred was the site of series of clashes on Tuesday between the government forces and Abu Sayyaf brigands.

Three Abu Sayyaf brigands were killed while six others were wounded while no one among the troops were either killed or wounded during the clashes.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=728136