MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Three Army combatants were injured in a mortar attack by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters past 8 a.m. Monday in Maitumaig area in Datu Unsay town in the province.
Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the wounded soldiers, who all belong to the 45th Infantry Battalion, were guarding a strategic hill along a stretch of the Cotabato-Gen. Santos Highway in Barangay Maitumaig when two rounds of 60 MM mortar landed near them and exploded.
The mortar projectiles were launched by BIFF bandits from another hill overlooking the position of the soldiers.
Hermoso said the victims were rushed to the military hospital inside the Army’s Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in the first district of Maguindanao.
“All three of them are now in safe condition,†Hermoso said.
Hermoro said three teams of soldiers were dispatched to run after the bandits responsible for the bombing.
Hermoso declined to name the three injured soldiers pending notification of their respective families.