ONE Army soldier was reportedly wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Alabel town in Sarangani Province last Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement furnished by the 10th Infantry Division (ID) to Sun.Star Davao on Thursday afternoon revealed the 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB) were deployed in the area after they received reports they received from an informant that the NPA rebels were planting landmines.
The military troops were clearing the people in the area particularly the farmers in Sitio Canaan, Barangay Pag-asa, Alabel when an IED expolded, leaving one unidentified soldier wounded.
"Fortunately, our troops strictly followed our standard operating procedure (SOP) in clearing an area of landmines, thus avoiding serious injuries on our soldiers. Our troops did not want any civilians to be victimized by the wanton laying of land mines by the NPA rebels," Lt. Col. Ronnie Babac. commanding officer of the 73rd IB.