Soldier hit by IED blast dies, three other injured stable

November 27, 2020

One of the four soldiers injured in an improvised bomb explosion in Lanao del Sur died as a military helicopter that evacuated them had to make an emergency landing due to bad weather on Thursday afternoon.

Capt. Clint Antipala, public affairs chief of the  1st Infantry Division, said the troops of 55th Infantry Battalion were on combat operations when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the vicinity of Brgy. Lilitun, Madalum, Lanao del Sur around 9 am.

"The four slightly wounded troopers were air evacuated and supposed to be medically treated when the pilot of the chopper decided to emergency land due to bad weather," he said.

Antipala said the helicopter landed 350 meters from the landing zone in Brgy. Bawang where the wounded troops were picked up.

Major General Gene Ponio, commander of 1st Infantry Division, expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the dead soldier.

"We have done everything just to save our wounded soldier the fastest way we can thru our air assets, unfortunately the incident happened", said Ponio.

Antipala said "the rest of the wounded troopers, including the personnel of the Air Force are now in stable condition." Robina Asido/DMS