From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 19): Gov't forces defuse 2 roadside bombs in Maguindanao
Government bomb experts defused today two improvised bombs found on a roadside in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, the Army said.
The deactivation came after civilians alerted the police and military authorities about a suspicious sack found on a roadside in Barangay Ladja, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Col. Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, told reporters the two improvised explosive devices were found at 9 a.m. today along the national highway in Barangay Ladja, a few kilometers away from the military's Artillery Battalion headquarters in Barangay Pigcalawan, also in Sultan Kudarat.
The IED was fashioned from two 60 mm mortar cartridge with mobile phone as trigger mechanism.
He said the IED was similar to the improvised bombs set off by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao.
“The BIFF are among the suspects," Hermoso said, adding that investigators are also looking at other groups behind the attempt.
He said the explosives could be intended for passing government forces on board military vehicles or civilians.
The highway, part of the Cotabato-Davao highway, was closed for about 30 minutes until the explosives were fully deactivated.
The discovery of roadside bombs in Sultan Kudarat came a day after two men set off an improvised bomb in front of a variety store in Barangay Ned, Midsayap,North Cotabato on Sunday night.
No one was hurt in the blast but it damaged the store owned by a certain Gerry Fontanilla.
Fontanilla told investigators that two men arrived in his store about 9 p.m. and bought cigarettes and candies.
They later left hurriedly and minutes later a loud explosion ripped through his store.
Supt. ReynanteDelos Reyes, Midsayap police chief, said the bomb couriers could have planned to set off the explosives in the Midsayap town proper but were forced to abandon it due to heavy presence of police and soldiers manning checkpoints.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=556672
Government bomb experts defused today two improvised bombs found on a roadside in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, the Army said.
The deactivation came after civilians alerted the police and military authorities about a suspicious sack found on a roadside in Barangay Ladja, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Col. Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, told reporters the two improvised explosive devices were found at 9 a.m. today along the national highway in Barangay Ladja, a few kilometers away from the military's Artillery Battalion headquarters in Barangay Pigcalawan, also in Sultan Kudarat.
The IED was fashioned from two 60 mm mortar cartridge with mobile phone as trigger mechanism.
He said the IED was similar to the improvised bombs set off by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao.
“The BIFF are among the suspects," Hermoso said, adding that investigators are also looking at other groups behind the attempt.
He said the explosives could be intended for passing government forces on board military vehicles or civilians.
The highway, part of the Cotabato-Davao highway, was closed for about 30 minutes until the explosives were fully deactivated.
The discovery of roadside bombs in Sultan Kudarat came a day after two men set off an improvised bomb in front of a variety store in Barangay Ned, Midsayap,
No one was hurt in the blast but it damaged the store owned by a certain Gerry Fontanilla.
Fontanilla told investigators that two men arrived in his store about 9 p.m. and bought cigarettes and candies.
They later left hurriedly and minutes later a loud explosion ripped through his store.
Supt. Reynante
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=556672