2 improvised bombs found, deactivated in Sultan Kudarat

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Philippines – Army bomb experts deactivated Monday two roadside improvised bombs in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, as government forces intensified campaign against bombings in Mindanao.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the two improvised explosive devices were found at 9 a.m. along the national highway in Barangay Ladja, a few kilometers away from the Army’s Artillery Battalion headquarters in Barangay  (village) Pigcalawan.

The IEDs were fashioned from two 60 mm mortar cartridges with mobile phone as trigger mechanism.

He said the bombs were “very similar” to those used by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in its bombing activities.

Hermoso said the IED could have been intended for passing government forces.

The IEDs were found by residents who alerted the police and Army authorities in the area.

On Sunday night, two men set off an improvised bomb in front of a variety store in Barangay Ned, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Nobody was hurt in the blast, the third in Midsayap this month.

Gerry Fontanilla, the store owner, said two men arrived on a motorbike and bought cigarettes and candies.

The men hurriedly left, and minutes later a loud explosion ripped through the store.

The bomb couriers could have planned to set the explosives off in the Midsayap town proper but were forced to abandon the plan due to the heavy presence of police and soldiers, Supt. Reynante Delos Reyes, Midsayap police chief, said.