Farmer dies, 5 MILF men hurt in separate bomb blasts in Mindanao

Maguindanao del Sur map. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato — A farmer was killed in a bomb explosion Thursday in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur while five members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were injured when an improvised bomb exploded inside their detachment in Aleosan, Cotabato.

Police identified the fatality in the Maguindanao del Sur explosion as Tatuna Pigi, 42, of Barangay Pandi, Datu Salibo town.

Capt. Ramillo Serame, Datu Salibo police chief, said the victim was preparing his farm equipment and was on his way to the rice field when the bomb went off along the route he took.

In Aleosan, police are still investigating the blast, also on Thursday, at the entrance of the MILF’s 118th base command in Barangay Bagolibas.

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Capt. Jenefer Amotan, Aleosan police chief, said the explosion occurred at around 12 noon and injured five MILF members.

She said the group of blast victims Abdul Baser Mamintal, Nor Minandang, Moslimen Diya Usop, Hasan Kalano, and Ronald Arellano had just returned home from a “rido” (family feud) settlement at the barangay hall.

Members of the 118th and 105th base commands have been at odds over territorial disputes in Bagolibas.