Official: 1 US soldier killed, 1 wounded in a landmine explosion in southern Philippines

Official: Mine kills US soldier in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines military says one U.S. soldier was killed and another wounded in a landmine explosion in the country’s insurgent-plagued south.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the explosion hit a military vehicle carrying troops on Jolo island, where American forces have been providing combat training and weapons to Filipino troops battling the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.

Brawner said one U.S. soldier was killed and another badly wounded, and that three Philippines troops also were wounded in the blast.

Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said U.S. officials were investigating an incident in the southern Philippines but declined to comment further.