ONE militiaman was killed and five soldiers were wounded early Monday after a government patrol hit a landmine planted by communist rebels in a remote village in Davao del Norte, officials said Tuesday.
Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesman for the army’s 10th Infantry Division said the incident occurred at around 10:30am Monday at Brgy. Gumitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Paniza said that a squad of troops from Division Reconnaissaince Company along with some militiamen were conducting patrol in the area when a landmine exploded.
The army official said the landmine was suspected to be planted by rebels belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) Front 34.
Paniza said the landmine explosion resulted to the death of one militiaman and wound of five soldiers followed by a firefight between rest of the troops and rebels.