Civilians, cops foil bombing in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY– Civilians and police authorities prevented another attempt
by suspected terrorist to set off bombs in South Cotabato with the discovery of
an improvised bomb in the town of Banga Monday morning, police said today. Senior
Supt. Jose Briones Jr, South Cotabato police provincial director, said the
improvised bomb fashioned from 81 mm mortar with mobile phone as triggering
device was found by civilians at 9 a.m. at a provincial road in Purok Maligaya,
Barangay Bangsa, about 30 kilometers south of here.
He
said the civilians found a suspicious bag left unattended at a roadside. When check they found it heavy and wirings
were seen protruding from something wrapped with packing tape.
Briones
said they because suspicious and alerted the police who quickly cordoned off the
area.
Henry
Puig, village councilman, said the residents noticed the explosive early in the
morning but never mind thinking it was just a piece of garbage. Curious, Puig tried to check on the bag and
found a mortar round.Briones said police is awaiting directive from PNP Regional Office where and when to dispose the explosive.