Soldier killed, 6 wounded in Camarines Sur blast
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2019 06:13:09 +0000
A soldier died while six others were wounded in an explosion in Labo, Camarines Sur on Monday, an official said.
Maj. Ricky Anthony Aguilar of the Philippine Army (PA) said the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) happened in Barangay Baay at 9 a.m.
The incident happened a day after the government and the communist rebels declared a suspension of military operations (SOMO) during the holiday season although it remains unclear whether the bombing was perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
READ: Govt, NDFP declare Christmas ceasefire
The military has not given the names of the victims as their families have yet to be informed.
Based on the report, a platoon from the 92nd Division Reconnaisance Company (92DRC) was supposed to conduct security operations but was pulled out to comply with the SOMO.
On their way to Barangay Baay, an undetermined number of rebels from the New People’s Army (NPA) fired upon them and also detonated an IED.
Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad condemned the “treacherous act and their gross violation of the ceasefire.”
The government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Sunday agreed to a ceasefire from 12 a.m. on December 23 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2020. DARWIN PESCO