QUOTE from icefire850 :

"The dead soldiers apparently sustained multiple shrapnel wounds that prompted us to seek medico-legal examinations from both the NBI and the PNP and the official results confirmed our suspicion that it was landmine explosions that caused their deaths," Guro said.

Col. Rogelio Rosete, 401st Infantry Brigade commanding officer identified the soldiers who had been killed in the clash, mostly Scout Rangers, as T/Sgt. Felipe Miral, Corporal Edgardo Bautista, Pfc. Erwin Pabualan, Pfc. Eliser Gollez, and Pvt. Anton Abutanmo.

http://s3.invisionfree.com/Defense_Philippines/index.php?showtopic=275

QUOTE from MART OIROG :

It's a tragic story, and we should admit that sometime(?) "sh....t happens" sabi nga ni forest gump e. Some of them are rangers. They belong to the Division Recon Company, supposed to be the super infantry patterned after the Rangers, highly mobile under the direct command of the Division Commander. But I think the leaders failed in this case. I know that the soldiers know how to do things, what they lack is the leadership factor, the thinker, the guy who know what to do. Kawawa, but that's the risk of soldiery.

QUOTE from Regie Ron :

The AFP should consider having trained combat tracker team in every infantry battalion and engr units.The war dogs is more capable than any mine detection gear,and it is more practical in our jungle environment. The dogs are capable and loyal animal and could be trained to detect booby traps and mines.I have watch a documentary about the US military using it during the pacific campaign ww2 era, and during the Vietnam war. Many claim that the US casualty could be even doubled if not only for this canines, it saved so many lifes from booby traps ,mines,and ambushes.It is also used for base security duties and combat patrol. The dogs can be equipped with wireless cameras and kevlar vest just liked the police K-9 s in many advanced countries.

QUOTE from Flipzi :

........ It's not easy to bring along canines when your mission requires you to be stealthy and highly mobile. Maybe, what these light infantry units (including Scout Rangers) must consider is to GET SOME HELP FROM EOD FOR TIPS ON HOW TO DETECT OR FEEL IF AN AREA IS LIKELY PLANTED WITH MINES and WHAT MARKS SHOULD THEY TAKE NOTE OF WHEN TRAVERSING THE "BOOBY TRAP"- LAID PATHS IN THE JUNGLES.

QUOTE from Harold Cabunoc :

I learned my own lesson in landmines in Sirawai in July 1995 when the lead scout of my section was blown up by an IED (improvised explosive device)/ landmine planted by the group of Cmdr Bangga of the MILF. That was my first (and hopefully, last) landmine experience.l

We also had similar lessons learned experienced by the following:

a. 5SRC/ SR103 in 5ID area in 1991-1994
b. 1SRB during the Puno Mohaji raid in 2000
c. 2SRB during the Sipadan operations in 2001
d. 4SRC in Lantad-Banglay complex in Lagonglong-Salay Mis Or in 1993-94

The most practical and effective way of avoiding landmines is to avoid trails and refrain riding vehicles as much as possible. Sometimes, waterpoints and fordable areas in creeks/streams are also "mined" so the recon elements must be careful in tracking them too.

However, soldiers cannot avoid taking trails when speed is important and terrain is a hindrance. Knowing the enemy is important also. If there are reports from the intel community about the use of IED's by the enemy in the area then it must be included in the OPORD brief so that appropriate SOP's/ TTPs can be used. It should be noted that majority of the casualties in landmines recently are the ones who were riding vehicles.

Usually, the mines planted by the enemy are pressure detonated/trip wire (not command detonated that can be controlled) so it is very important to analyze the area especially the pattern of behavior of the local populace. If there are no vehicles running in the streets then better delay troop movement through land vehicles. This was also our lesson in Jolo in 2001 during which 2SRBn BATCOM himself was wounded by a landmine which blasted the Simba he was riding on.

Mr Mabikas is right that sniffing dogs/ tracking dogs can be of great help. Actually, we have a K9 Company but I dont think we are really serious to MAINTAIN, TRAIN AND DEVELOP it to become an EFFECTIVE UNIT! Look, when these dogs and their handlers joined us in Basilan, we ended up carrying those sanamagan dogs who eat more expensive food than soldiers do. They bogged down in the harsh conditions for reasons I don't know. Another problems: if the dogs smell something, the handlers (who trained with their dogs in 2weeks) didn't really understand what their dogs were trying to "say"!!! The best alibi was that the "area was contaminated". Sometimes, if it appears that an Abusayyaf is in the area, the dog handler is hesitating to be up front!! (How can a tracking dog function without his handler?). Sana, ayusin nila ang unit para makatulong naman sa combat operations natin. Ewan lang ano ginagawa nila ngayon kasi wala nang hi-profile combat operations like in Southcom areas in 2000-2002.

I hope these lessons can be used by our next generation warriors who are now in the frontlines. Hooooooooooaaah!