ILOILO CITY — Six soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61st IB) sustained minor injuries from a bomb attack staged by suspected New People’s Army rebels at 10:45 p.m. on Friday at Barangay Pangilihan in Janiuay, Iloilo Province.
Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot Jr., 61st IB Commanding Officer, on Saturday said five of the soldiers, who sustained minor cuts on their bodies, were already discharged from the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC).
Only one of the soldiers is still confined for further treatment, but Magbalot stressed his wound is not life-threatening.
Magbalot said that they were on their way back to the mainland after conducting Community Support Program in five mountainous barangays of Janiuay when they were hit by a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED).
The battalion also encountered three to five alleged NPA rebels who immediately fled after the explosion and when the soldiers started to shoot back.
Magbalot said they were about three meters away from the area where the IED was planted by the suspected rebels.
Recovered from the scene were several parts of the IED.
Magbalot said none from the civilians in the community was hurt. (PNA)