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Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson identified the slain soldier as Sergeant RonaldoAcosta while the three wounded were Sgt. Orong Ascalul, Cpl Joseph Cutaran and Pfc DennisTrinidad.
The injured personnel were rushed to the Rivera Hospital in Panabo City.
Cabangbang quoted EastMinCom chief Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer as saying the type of landmine used was “the pressure type landmine, the kind that is banned by the UN Convention on the Use of Landmines. This is based on the events after the incident – no encounter, meaning no NPAs were near the site to detonate the landmine; the troops also searched the area and found no indication that anyone waited and detonated the landmine. The troops are supposed to conduct dialogue, inventory of government programs and survey of health problems in Paquibato proper in preparation for the conduct of civil-military operations.”
Ferrer said criminal charges will be filed “against the perpetrators of the incident even as we lodge a complaint with the GRP Joint Monitoring Committee against the NPA for violating the UN Convention on use of landmines. Despite the incident, we will continue with the efforts in reaching out and helping the people in the area.”
There is no statement as yet from the NPA on the incident. (MindaNews)