Soldier killed, 4 others hurt in Maguindanao roadside blast

COTABATO CITY—A Marine soldier was killed while four others were wounded when a roadside bomb went off Friday evening in Datu Hoffer town of Maguindanao province.

Lt. Col. Anhouvic Atilano, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the bomb explosion happened past 8 p.m. in Limpongo village while a convoy of Philippine Marine vehicles were traversing a road between Datu Hoffer and Shariff Aguak towns.

The fatality was identified only as Private Angot of the 5th Marine Battalion deployed to secure the border of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces.

Those injured were Sergeants Erasmo and Ahmad, and Privates First Class Nolledo and Ullanes who are currently confined at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital.

The Army blamed local affiliates of the Islamic State for the blast.

Since Friday morning, government troops were cordoning off an upland area in Datu Hoffer town where armed men of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were believed to be gathering.

The blast could also have been a retaliation for the killing of two BIFF members in a military operation earlier in the day in Mamasapano town, said Atilano.

Amid the blast, the Army has assured that the highway between Cotabato City and Isulan in Sultan Kudarat remains safe for motorists.

JPV