TWO suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were arrested on Saturday after they were caught laying an improvised explosive device (IED) in Barangay Golden Valley in Mabini town, Compostela Valley.
Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar identified the two as Ronie Consolacion Mimi, 23, and Sonny Mimi, 22, believed to be among those who attacked their troops.
He said the suspects were cousins and both are residents of sitio Palali of the same barangay. Recovered from their possession were three IEDs, 300-meter wire, two switch devices and one motoposh motorcycle.
Batchar said before the arrest of the rebels, the peace and development team of the Army's 46th Infantry Battalion were hit in IED explosion while conducting patrol at sitios Logdeck and Candinuyan in Golden Valley around 12:45 a.m.
Five soldiers were injured and have been brought to Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City, while another is now being treated at Camp Panacan Station Hospital, Batchar said.
He said the two NPA rebels are now detained at the Mabini Police Station and are facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or The Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.