1 killed, 6 hurt in ComVal landmine blast

A civilian was killed while six others, including two Army soldiers, were wounded following a land mine explosion in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley over the weekend, a regional police official said Monday. Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Compostela Valley police director, said the blast occurred about 5:30 p.m. Sunday while a military truck was travelling in Barangay Libaylibay in Maco town. It was not immediately known if the landmine was planted by communist rebels. Citing field reports, Aquino said the truck was transporting civilians who took part in a three-day live-in peace and development seminar initiated by the Army's 71st Infantry Battalion. The lone fatality was identified as one Nicolas Paquingan, 52, who was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors at the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City. Those wounded were Glenn Mark Gimeno, 18; Rogie Pabillon, 18; Angelito Cumayas, 42; and Juanito Bacalso, 56. All were residents of Barangay Dumlan in Maco town. The wounded soldiers were PFC Arnel Odchique and PFC Allen Dulnuan. — RSJ, GMA News