1 died, 6 wounded in mine explosion

A SOLDIER was killed while six others were wounded in a landmine explosion allegedly perpetrated by members of New People's Army (NPA) at Sitio Mainit, Barangay Calapagan, Lupon in Davao Oriental on Tuesday, according to an official.

Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson for the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Private First Class (Pfc.) Jhasam Diaz, who was assigned to the 28th Infantry Battalion (28th IB).

As of this posting, the Army is yet to identify the six wounded soldiers.

Paniza said the incident happened while the peace and development team under the 28th IB on board two military vehicles were heading back to their headquarters at 12:20 a.m. of Tuesday.

"The two vehicles were on convoy when a landmine exploded hitting the rear portion of the second vehicle," Paniza said.

He added that Diaz died while being treated at the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital. The other wounded soldiers are in Tagum Regional Hospital.

Paniza said their troops were part of the security teams which were rendering service to the affected areas of Typhoon Pablo.

He said the use of landmine is prohibited in the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law.