Two soldiers killed, three wounded in landmine explosions in Philippines

Two soldiers lost their lives, and three others were injured when landmines, believed to be planted by rebels, detonated during military operations in Camarines Sur province on Luzon island, as per the Philippine military. The incident took place in a mountainous village of Balatan municipality, according to a Facebook post by the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division. The soldiers were struck by anti-personnel landmine explosions, leading to casualties. In response, the military has escalated pursuit operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. This incident follows a recent clash in Samar province where two soldiers were killed in a confrontation with NPA rebels. Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, disclosed that the encounter occurred in a village in San Jose De Buan, Samar province. Additionally, a suspected NPA member was killed in a firefight with government troops in Silvino Lobos town, Northern Samar province, where the rebels were reportedly extorting from locals. The Philippine military also reported an operation in Gusaran village, where troops engaged with insurgents, resulting in a 15-minute clash. The NPA, active since 1969, aims to overthrow the government and operates mainly in rural areas across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Despite its continued presence, security officials note a significant decrease in its fighter numbers, now estimated at about 1,000, down from a peak of 25,000 in the mid-1980s.