A SUSPECTED member of the New People's Army (NPA) died after he accidentally triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) in Barangay Panibasan, Maco town in Compostela Valley province last Tuesday morning.
In a statement furnished by the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) to Sun.Star Davao recently, the explosion took place around 3:30 a.m.
10th Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson Lieutenant Alex Cabales, in a separate statement, said that military units under the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) were about to pass by the said area when the IED exploded.
"Nangyari yung insidente early in the morning kaya may nagreport agad na civilians about sa nangyari," Cabales told reporters during Wednesday's AFP-PNP press conference held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
"Naaksidente ang rebelde, siguro na-detonate ang IED," he added.
Cabales said that the IED was intended for the soldiers from the 46th IB.
"Nakipag-coordinate na kami sa local Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an investigation on the matter. Swerte ang ating mga sundalo," Cabales said.
Colonel Casiano Monilla, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, in a separate statement, condemned the production and use of these IEDs as it also threatens the lives of civilians and their properties. (KRP)