2 soldiers hurt in blast

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – The military has uncovered an alleged plot by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas to launch more roadside bombings following Wednesday’s attack in Magpet town that left two soldiers wounded.

The wounded soldiers, who belong to the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion (IB), are being treated in a hospital.

The troops were patrolling in Barangay Bagumbayan, when the rebels set off an improvised explosive device (IED).

Lt. Col. Nilo Vinluan, chief of the 57th IB, said the IED, set off using a mobile phone, was packed with fragments of cast iron and metal shavings.

Army intelligence officials said the NPAs in North Cotabato are experimenting with new techniques in making IEDs and will test the explosives on military and civilian targets.