Blast rocks Maguindanao town

COTABATO CITY -- A bomb, believed to have been from the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), prematurely exploded on Monday night in a town of Maguindanao, a military official said on Tuesday.

Army Lt. Colonel Roberto Breboneria, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, however said no one was hurt in the blast, which happened in Barangay Kiteb, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao at 7:15 p.m.

Breboneria added that authorities found another explosive device near the blast site.

No one has claimed ownership of the explosives, but Breboneria said the attempt could be by the BIFF.

“The BIFF has repeatedly threatened in the past that they would set off harmful explosive devices in civilian areas,” he said.

Several hours earlier, the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and Lambayong municipal police office also prevented a bombing attempt in Lambayong town of adjacent Sultan Kudarat province.

Lt. Gino Fegarido, Lambayong police chief, said police and Army soldiers were at a checkpoint along the national highway in Barangay Tinumigues when they noticed the restiveness of two men on board an approaching motorbike.

“The men made a U-turn and dropped a sack along the road before speeding away,” Fegarido said.

Upon checking, authorities found a live 81mm mortar inside a sack.

Government security forces believed that the explosive device would be converted into an improvised bomb.

Members of the Army’s ordnance disposal team safely recovered the mortar round.

Fegarido also believed that the BIFF was behind the transporting of the projectile. (PNA)