The Philippine National Police (PNP)  has heightened security measures in Camarines Sur following a landmine explosion in Balatan town that killed two soldiers and wounded three others.

In a statement on Sunday, Acting PNP Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police commanders in Camarines Sur and neighboring areas to intensify security operations and support military forces pursuing suspected communist rebels linked to the attack.

In addition to assisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in pursuit operations, Nartatez said police investigators are gathering evidence and preparing criminal charges against those responsible.

The explosion occurred on 19 December in Barangay Cabungan, Balatan, killing two soldiers on the spot and injuring three others. Authorities confirmed that all the casualties were military personnel.

Following the incident, police units in the province were placed on heightened alert to prevent similar attacks. Nartatez also ordered hot pursuit operations against the perpetrators and increased police presence in affected and nearby communities.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the two soldiers who lost their lives as a result of this attack. We in the PNP know how it feels because we also lost personnel in anti-insurgency campaign,” he said. 

“But we assure them and the rest of our kababayan that we will not stop until the communist insurgency problem in the country is addressed, and for all the people in the countryside to live in peace,” he added.

Nartatez stressed the PNP is closely coordinating with the AFP in the investigation and in securing the area. Additional checkpoints and patrols have been set up to deter possible follow-up attacks and to ensure public safety.

The intensified security operations, he said, are part of the police efforts to strengthen coordination among security forces and reinforce internal security efforts in areas threatened by insurgent activity.

He reiterated that the “PNP remains on alert and committed to protecting communities from armed threats.”