Three killed, 14 injured in S. Philippines landmine attack

Two government soldiers, a civilian were killed and fourteen others wounded in a landmine attack by leftist rebels in southern Philippines of Compostela Valley Province on Saturday night, the military said Sunday.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, public affairs officer of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said troops from the 1001st Brigade were on a security patrol when New People's Army (NPA) militants detonated the landmine around 6:30 p.m. along a provincial road near Mabini town.

"Our troops were on foot, conducting patrol. Unfortunately, the rebels were waiting for them," said Batchar.

"The (killed) civilian was incidentally passing the area when the rebels detonated the IED (improvised explosive device)," he said.

Batchar said the soldiers retaliated, forcing the undetermined number of rebels to withdraw. "The troops fought back but they gave priority to the evacuation of the wounded," said Batchar.

Among the 14 wounded soldiers, one was in "critical condition", according to Batchar.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign against the government in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country. Endit