MILF condemns Isulan bombing

COTABATO CITY — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) condemned Tuesday night’s Isulan, Sultan Kudarat bombing that killed two and left 37 other victims wounded, describing it as the handiwork of “spoilers of peace.”

“We condemned it. It is the handiwork of bloody-minded people and it serves no purpose,” Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF negotiator, told reporters here Wednesday. Without divulging any name, Iqbal said the bombing bore the signature style of an Islamic State-inspired group.

“Those who executed the attack were peace spoilers,” he said. Iqbal said they would help government forces in any capacity that they can to provide information about the people behind the attack.

The MILF is working for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law last July 27 to replace the decades-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao set-up, after a plebiscite that would be held later this year.

This developed as the military here has initially pointed to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as responsible for the attack.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesman, said the IS-linked BIFF faction of Sulaiman Tudon had repeatedly attempted to send improvised bombs to the neighboring areas of Isulan and Tacurong City the past several months, which have all been thwarted by authorities. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)

Popular

Malacañang urges caution on calls to expel Chinese envoy

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency Malacañang on Wednesday acknowledged calls for action against Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan over his...

Malacañang: Armed group sheltering Sen. dela Rosa a threat to nat’l security

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet After several months of manhunt operations, authorities said that they have already identified the whereabouts of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa,...

Malacañang presses probe into reported Atong Ang escape

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency Malacañang on Wednesday called for an investigation into possible lapses in law enforcement after Interior Secretary Jonvic...

PBBM, Japan reaffirm bilateral ties, regional cooperation

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to...