MANILA, (PNA) — Malacanang condemned on Tuesday the explosion in Pantukan, Compostela Valley that injured seven Army soldiers who were on patrol.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the explosion, that was caused by an improvised explosive device, was a violation of “every rule in anybody’s book.”
“Alam niyo pag IED na ang pinag-usapan, that really violates every rule in anybody’s book. Talagang nobody will come to your side and say that what you did was justified,” Valte said.
She said that although the explosion set back the peace talks between the government and communist rebels, “we will plow on.”
“These are incidents that make it difficult (on the peace process) but we will plow on and we are waiting for the update on the condition of the seven soldiers who were wounded. Hopefully nothing worse will happen,” Valte said.
Lt Gen Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said in a press statement that the soldiers were on patrol in Sitio Lantaan, Barangay Napnapan on Tuesday morning when members of the New People’s Army (NPA) detonated an explosive device.
He added that two combat helicopters were immediately dispatched to evacuate the wounded soldiers who were brought to the Camp Panacan Station Hospital in Davao City.