4 soldiers hurt in Davao landmine blast — report

At least four soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously, when two landmines believed planted by communist rebels, exploded in Davao City Friday. Radio dzBB's Davao affiliate reported Saturday the soldiers were responding to a report on the presence of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels when the incident occurred at 7:35 a.m., in Sitio Manipis in Paquibato Proper village in Davao City. The injured soldiers were initially identified as Privates Ramil Laraño, Pfc. Garcia, Pfc. Amoroso, and Pfc. Elmer Laruya. Despite the explosion, the soldiers fought back and managed to wound some of the suspected NPAs, who fled after the incident. The dzBB report said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David lauded the wounded soldiers for their bravery at Camp Felix Apolinario. — LBG, GMANews.TV