Army units pursue rebels who detonated IED near military convoy in Iloilo

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 14): Army units pursue rebels who detonated IED near military convoy in Iloilo

Units of the Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division are now pursuing the New People's Army (NPA) band who detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) near a passing military convoy, wounding seven people, in San Joaquin town, Iloilo Monday early morning

The incident took place at 6:30 a.m., near the San Joaquin Highway, 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson Major Ray Tiongson said.

He added this attack is in violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

82nd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Enriqueto Deocadez Jr., said his troops, who were based in Miag-ao, Iloilo, were headed to Antique aboard two military trucks when an estimated 10 rebels detonated the IED.

The troops disembarked from the vehicles, returned fire and maneuvered to occupy the vantage position as they pursue the rebels.

Six 82nd Infantry Battalion troopers and a civilian were wounded due to IED shrapnel.

The soldiers who sustained minor injuries are now in stable condition and back to duty after they were treated as out-patients in a hospital in Guimbal, Iloilo.

Meanwhile, the civilian victim identified as Bryan Servano is still confined in Guimbal hospital due to a wound.

In a separate incident, a group of lawless armed elements believed to be rebel fighters burned heavy equipment for a mini-hydro project in Igbaras, Iloilo at about 8 p.m. Sunday.

Tiongson said the bandits barged into the project site of Century Peak in Barangay Passi and at the dam site in Barangay Igcabugao and burned seven trucks, an Isuzu elf and three backhoes and carted away a shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver belonging to the duty security guards.

The attack stemmed from the company's failure to give in to the extortion demands of the rebels.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=837793