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9 troops, including 7 PSG men, wounded in IED blast in Marawi City
Nine government security forces, including seven from the elite Presidential Security Group, were wounded following an improvised explosive device explosion in Marawi City Tuesday morning, the spokesman for the military said.
Citing initial field report, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said that between 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., the convoy of PSG personnel, RTVM and local troop escorts were hit by a roadside IED explosion.
At the time of the incident, the convoy was headed towards the headquarters of the 103rd Brigade.
"Most were slightly injured except for one PSG member who sustained serious injuries," Padilla said, quoting the report.
He said a presidential chopper immediately airlifted five soldiers, including the seriously injured PSG member, to an undisclosed medical facility in Cagayan de Oro City.
Meanwhile, PSG spokesperson Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said the incident occurred at Sitio Matalupay in Marawi City at 10:45 a.m.
Aquino said the IED exploded when the advance party of President Rodrigo Duterte passed by the area.
As of posting time, Aquino said authorities are determining the type of explosive used as well as those responsible for the blast.
He cannot say if the attack specifically targeted Duterte or was a result of the current military campaign against the Maute Group in Lanao del Sur.
Likewise, Aquino said he cannot say it the incident will affect Duterte's trip to Marawi, but stressed that the PSG "is well-trained and prepared to ensure the safety of the President."
However, it was not diclosed when Duterte is expected to go to Marawi City.
"Tight talaga ang security natin, kahit saan tayo magpunta, hindi naman tayo nagpapabaya, talagang alert tayo, naka-alert tayo palagi at tsaka yung mga tropa natin, trained talaga iyan, maganda rin ang mga training ng tropa natin," he said. — with Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News
