Three soldiers were wounded on Thursday morning after an anti-personnel mine that was planted by suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic freedom Fighters (BIFF) exploded in Ampatuan town of Maguindanao.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), said the soldiers from the 57thInfantry Battalion were conducting clearing operations in Barangay Salman when the blast occurred.
Vinluan said additional troops were immediately sent to the area to cordon off the blast site to ensure the protection of the public.
The three wounded soldiers were taken to Camp Siongco Station Hospital for treatment.
“Inflicting harm on our troops is the desperate device of the weakened terrorist groups to attract attention and harbor support,” said Vinluan.
“Rest assured that we will heighten our security operations and stay on guard against the emerging threats in our area of operation,” he added.
A soldier died while four others were injured during a recent roadside bombing also in Maguindanao.