Militiaman hurt in BIFF roadside bombing in Maguindanao

AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO – A militiaman was hurt when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off during a security patrol in Barangay Labu-Labu 2 Wednesday morning.

The IED could have been planted by members of Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said.

He said a squad of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was conducting a patrol near its base in Datu Hofer, Maguindanao when an IED exploded at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.

“The militiaman was slightly injured but he is safe now,” Encinas said.

After the blast, soldiers closed parts of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat to Cotabato City national highway for about an hour to investigate.

Militiamen and soldiers regularly patrol the highways of Maguindanao, especially in the adjoining towns of Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Datu Hofer and Datu Unsay due to frequent roadside bombing attempts by BIFF.

Earlier, Brig. Diosdado Carreon, the commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said BIFF has resorted to roadside bombings after suffering heavy losses.

He said the Army recently recovered several firearms, including 50 cal. sniper rifles, following clashes with the group in the borders of Datu Salibo and Shariff Aguak towns.

Military officials said the bombing in Datu Hofer was a diversionary tactic after a successful artillery offensive Tuesday in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao where seven BIFF fighters, including a sub-commander, were killed.