Soldier killed in IED blast in Basilan

An Army Scout Ranger was killed while another one was wounded following an explosion in Basilan, a regional military spokesperson said. Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators.  Citing field reports, Capt. Alberto Caber of the Army's 1st Infantry Division said Monday that an improvised explosive device exploded as elements of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company were patrolling a circumferential road in Barangay Cabangalan in Ungkaya Pukan town.  Killed in the blast was Cpl. Mark Dandin Gomez while Pfc. John Garde was evacuated to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.   

An initial investigation showed that the explosive was cell phone detonated. Troops recovered fragments of mortar round and cell phone parts, Caber said. 

 

A joint AFP-PNP investigation is now ongoing to determine the perpetrators responsible of the incident. 

 

Basilan is a known bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group although there are also other armed groups in the province. — RSJ, GMA News