One soldier died and four others were injured in a roadside blast as a military convoy was passing through a village in Datu Hoffer town in Maguindanao Friday, the military said Saturday.
A convoy of the 5th Military Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 5, was traversing a road in Barangay Lipongo when an anti-personnel mine exploded.
One Marine was killed while 4 others were wounded. Their identities were not immediately disclosed, pending notification of their next of kin.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators of this inhumane act of terrorism,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Central.
“This horrendous act perpetrated by the terrorists is simply unacceptable,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command.
The incident came just weeks after twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu killed 15, including state troopers. Suicide bombers linked to terrorist Abu Sayyaf group have been tagged in the bombings.