Army bomb experts defuse IED in Maguindanao
Local News • 16:52 PM Thu Jul 12, 2018
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By:
Noel Y. Punzalan
Soldiers stop a vehicle after a suspected IED was found at a road in Barangay Labo-Labo 2, Datu Hofer, Maguindanao this morning. (NYP)
SHARIFF AGUAK,
Maguindanao – An improvised bomb planted along a roadside here
triggered traffic along the Cotabato-Isulan highway Thursday morning.
Police and
military authorities shut down the highway near a bridge in Labo-Labo, Datu
Hofer, Maguindanao from 6 a.m. this morning after a powerful improvised bomb
was found by motorists.
A bomb expert
said the IED was cellphone triggered and could have maimed or seriously hurt
civilian motorists.
The traffic
was opened about two hours later when Army ordnance team deactivated the IED
which has the signature of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
(BIFF).
The discovery
of a roadside bomb came hours after a rifle grenade, fired from a distance,
landed and exploded near a gas station in Barangay Poblacion, Datu Paglas,
Maguindanao.
Town Mayor
Ibrahim Paglas said the explosion occurred at 8 p.m. but nobody was hurt.
He blamed
illegal drug syndicates to be behind the attack apparently to avenge the
group's losses in intensified anti-drug campaign of the local government.
Last week, the
Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion clashed with IS inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom
Fighters in a village few meters from the town hall.
The rebel
group reportedly plotted to take over the town hall in Marawi City-like siege.
The plot was foiled.
Roadside
bombings have been blamed by military and police authorities to the BIFF which
they normally resort to divert military attention.