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MANILA – One of the four wounded soldiers heading to the hospital aboard a helicopter died Thursday after the aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Madalum, Lanao del Sur, due to bad weather, the army reported Friday. .
The soldiers, all from the 55th Philippine Army Infantry Battalion, were injured in an explosion during combat operations against members of the terrorism-linked Daulah Islamiyah in Barangay Lilitun around 9 am Thursday.
They were evacuated by air for treatment when the helicopter pilot decided to make an emergency landing due to bad weather. A member of the Air Force crew was also injured in the accident.
Captain Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said a seriously wounded soldier was killed in the process. Antipala said the death could be due to the severity of the injuries suffered by the soldier in the blast.
“Most of the parts of his body were hit by shrapnel,” Antipala said.
Major General Gene Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, expressed his condolences to the soldier’s family and friends.
“We have done everything possible to save our wounded soldier as quickly as possible through our air assets, unfortunately the incident occurred,” said Ponio.
“Rest assured that the benefits of the fallen soldier will be taken care of [of] and financial or other assistance will be given to his immediate family, ”said Ponio.
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