Another blast rocks Maguindanao town

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Philippines – Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) set off an improvised explosive near a roadside detachment of government militiamen in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao last Saturday night, the second explosion in the town in two days.

No one was reported killed or injured in the bombing, but the incident triggered panic in the village of Makir.

The incident came on the heels of Friday night’s bombing in Datu Odin Sinsuat’s Awang District, not far from Camp Siongco, the command center of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

The initial blast prompted the 6th ID to deploy more soldiers, particularly to secure the Awang Airport.

The BIFM led by Ameril Umbra Kato has claimed responsibility for the bombings that rocked Datu Odin Sinsuat, saying the attacks were part of its diversionary maneuvers following its four-day skirmishes with government troops in four Maguindanao towns last week. 

In Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, meanwhile, police remained on full alert due to persistent bomb threats. 

Superintendent Gilbert Tuzon, Tacurong City police chief, said they have set up checkpoints in strategic areas to ensure that improvised explosives would not be brought into the fourth-class city. 

Tuzon said local authorities and residents have been receiving bomb threats through text messages since government troops clashed with Moro rebels in Maguindanao.

– With Cecille Suerte Felipe