CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao–The military’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion said Friday it foiled a bombing attempt by suspected Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
A resident alerted the military about a suspected bag left unattended along the national highway at about 5 a.m., according to Capt. Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID).
Encinas said personnel of the 12th Mechanized Company, led by 1Lt. Anjelou Peralta, immediately proceeded to the area and secured the suspected improvised explosive device (IED).
Personnel from the Army’s bomb disposal unit, assisted by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team of the Sultan Kudarat Police, deactivated the bomb minutes later.
Encinas said the IED components included a time fuse, plastic container, duct tape, pieces of metallic items, gray powder, and detonator.
On May 27, government troops also disarmed an IED in the same town.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander, blamed the BIFF for the bombing attempt, describing it as a desperate effort to avenge the death of their comrades during a recent military air and ground assault in the marshland of Maguindanao.
“I commend the troops for their fast action to avert the series of bombing attempts. Your efforts, enthusiasm, hard work, and determination finally paid off,” Sobejana said.
He also commended the civilians for immediately reporting the incident to the military and the police.
Also on Friday, the military said its bomb disposal personnel disarmed a roadside bomb found in Arakan town, North Cotabato.
Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato Police spokesperson, said villagers found the homemade bomb placed inside a bag at about 7:30 a.m. at the junction of Barangays Sto. Nino and Tumanding and reported the matter to authorities.
Tayong blamed the communist New People’s Army for the blast, as military and police forces raised security alert in the area. (PNA)
