Army foils bombing try in Tacurong City

CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO – Government troops foiled Tuesday afternoon a bombing attempt in Tacurong City attributed by the military to IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the powerful improvised explosive device was found by motorists at a roadside near Gen. Lim Street, about 100 meters away from Tacurong City’s welcome rotunda.

Citing intelligence report, Encinas said a civilian alerted the police and Task Force Talakudong about the impending bombing sortie by BIFF bomb-makers Brah Lumambas and Bohari Adam, both under BIFF leader Gani Saligan, who wanted to get back at soldiers, following heavy losses during focused military operations in Maguindanao last month.

Army and police bomb experts recovered a sling bag that contained black powder, cut nails and a mobile phone as triggering device.

“This is the second attempt of the BIFF terror group to create chaos in Tacurong City but was successfully pre-empted through the help of our concerned civilians in the community,” said 1st Infantry Mechanized Brigade commander Col. Robert C. Dauz.

“The bombing attempt was clearly meant to create atrocities and terror attack in the peace-loving and progressive city of Tacurong,” 6th Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said.

At least 40 BIFF rebels, including foreign looking men, were killed during air, ground and marshland assaults by the military in Maguindanao and part of Sultan Kudarat. A bomb making facility was also destroyed.

Both Sobejana and Dauz have urged the public to be on alert and vigilant at all times and to immediately report anything suspicious to the authorities.

In May, soldiers also foiled a bombing attempt along a highway in Tacurong City.