Blast hurts soldier in Maguindanao

DATU SAUDI
AMPATUAN, Maguindanao – A soldier was injured when suspected members
of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) set off a roadside
explosive Tuesday morning, the Army said.

Colonel
Felicisimo Budiongan, commander of the 1st Mechanized brigade, said the
soldiers were conducting foot patrol and road security along the road leading
to Datu Piang town from Datu Saudi Ampatuan when the explosive went off at 9:30
a.m. in Barangay Lower Salbu.

The blast site
was few meters away from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade headquarters.

Budiongan said
the still to be determined make of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was
believed planted last night.

Following the
blast, soldiers continued its clearing operations to ensure no explosives are
left by suspected lawless elements.

Budiongan said
the military are placed on heightened alert following the declaration of
President Duterte of state of lawlessness in the aftermath of Davao City
bombing.

Abu Misri
Mama, BIFF spokesperson, denied his group was behind the attack. He said the BIFF is busy consolidating its
forces and did not launch offensive against Philippine military since no
military operation directed at them.

There was not
military operation against us so we are silent here,” Mama said of his group
which recently expressed sympathy on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. (Ferdinandh
Carbera)