6 Marines hurt as truck hits land mine in Sulu

(Update) MANILA, Philippines - Six Marines were wounded when the M35 truck they were riding in hit a land mine planted by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul town in Sulu, a military spokesperson said Friday. In a text message to reporters, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said the explosion occurred 11:45 a.m. Friday in the vicinity of Tugas village. At the time of the explosion, the truck was carrying personnel from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11. All wounded personnel were brought to the Trauma Hospital at Camp Teodulo Bautista in Busbus, Jolo. Arevalo said no one has claimed responsibility for the blast although "the military suspects that this could be the handiwork of urban terrorists under Abu Sayyaf leader Joko Dahim." He added that rescue reinforcements were promptly sent to the blast site. The blast came a day after Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, one of three Red Cross workers held by the Abu Sayyaf, was freed to government negotiators. Still in captivity are Italian Eugenio Vagni and Swiss Andreas Notter. - GMANews.TV