Army notes rising number of IEDs in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- More improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered by government forces hunting down the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao, the Army here said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, six more powerful IEDs were discovered by government troops in Maguindanao as the military intensified its offensive against the BIFF, Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, said.

“The total number of IEDs found is now at 20,” Carreon said, adding that soldiers found 14 other IEDs in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town and its environs since Nov. 24 when the all-out military operation commenced.

Carreon, also head of Joint Task Force Central (JFTC), said the latest set of IEDs found was in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, where abandoned lairs of the radicals were discovered lately.

Carreon said elements of Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion (5SFB), while continuously clearing the area from the terror group whose members have already scampered away, discovered the IEDs in Sitio Diate of Barangay Pamalian.

The IEDs found were made from two 81mm mortar rounds, three 60mm

mortar rounds, and one rocket-propelled grenade warhead.

“Our ground troops under the 601st Infantry Brigade will continue to scour the areas of engagement for the remnants of the terrorists who intentionally left the IEDs to harm our pursuing troops,” Carreon said.

The demolition team of 5SFB successfully defused the IEDs and brought these to the 33rd Infantry Battalion Tactical Command Post for safekeeping.