by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Feb. 22 (PIA) - - A civilian was killed and two army soldiers were wounded in separate landmine explosions Thursday at Sitio Tayagan in Osukan, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte, some 170 kilometers south of this city.
Labason chief of police PSI Helen L. Galvez disclosed that the landmines were planted near the residence of a certain Commander Sapie of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)-lost command.
The victim, who died on the spot after he had accidentally stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) laid under the ground, was identified as Rey Sumampong Collamat, 43. He reportedly went hunting for wild pigs.
Two army soldiers, 2Lt. Mak Joseph Falcatan, 22, and PFC Boy Sarab, 35, belonging to the 44th Infantry Battalion (IB) also sustained minor injuries from a separate landmine explosion while patrolling the area.
Police personnel were able to recover fragments IED parts like improvised detonator, syringe as triggering device, and wire and black powder of 105 propellants as main charge.
The elements of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the 18th IB immediately conducted clearing operations using bomb detectors in the area.
Members of the MILF-lost command have reportedly been lurking in the southern municipalities of the province. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)