Landmine explodes in North Cotabato, gunfight with NPA rebels follows

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 27): Landmine explodes in North Cotabato, gunfight with NPA rebels follows

The police chief of Matalam, North Cotabato and three other policemen narrowly survived a landmine explosion set off by suspected communist rebels in the said town.

Senior Inspector Sunny Leoncito said on Saturday he and the three other policemen were on a patrol car headed for Barangay (village) Kibia, also in Matalam, to attend a meeting on Friday when the explosion took place.

He said as the patrol car was traversing the road leading to the village around 9:30 a.m., when the landmine exploded.

He said the explosion damaged the front portion of the patrol car – including its windshield – but none of them were harmed.

“We are all safe. The explosion occurred about one meter from our vehicle,” Leoncito said.

He said they also traded shots with at least three New People’s Army rebels, who were holed in a nearby hill.

“The NPA rebels withdrew toward Barangay Salvacion,” Leoncito said.

In a post-blast investigation, the Matalam police said it PVC pipes, wirings and shrapnel from the blast site.

Matalam is among North Cotabato towns where the NPA still maintains a presence. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/769083/landmine-explodes-in-north-cotabato-gunfight-with-npa-rebels-follows