2 TV journalists, 10 others injured in Maguindanao blasts

MANILA, Philippines—At least 12 people,  including two Manila-based journalists, were injured after two bombs ripped through a convoy of soldiers and journalists in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao around 8 a.m. Saturday, the military said.

Lietunant Colonel Ramon Zagala, military spokesman, told INQUIRER.net that six soldiers and six civilians were also wounded in the explosion.

“This morning… as our soldiers were on a security patrol, they were hit by an IED (improvised explosive device). By coincidence the civilians and the TV crew were there,” Colonel Edgardo Gonzales  said.

He said the news team– TV 5 reporter Jeff Caparas and cameraman Adrian Bulatao—had been covering days of fighting between soldiers and the hardline Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway Muslim rebel group opposed to peace talks with the main Muslim organization.

The head of TV 5’s news division, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, said Bulatao’s injury was “serious” with shrapnel wounds over the right side of his body.

“Bulatao is in shock but conscious, in pain,” she said in an SMS message.

Caparas was also wounded but was still on his feet, she added.

“It was a good thing they were wearing protective helmets and vests,” said regional military spokesman Colonel Dickson Hermoso.

Caparas later said over the TV station that his crew had stopped to cover an earlier bomb blast when another explosion took place.

Zagala said the village where the roadside blasts took place was near the site where a clash between government forces and the BIFF is ongoing.

Military reports said it was looking into the possibility that the BIFF was behind the attak but Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the BIFF, said the rebel group did not set off the explosives.

The military has said that 52 rebels and one soldier had been killed since the government launched an offensive against the BIFF almost a week ago.

The military operation was launched after the government successfully concluded peace talks with the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in order to end decades of fighting that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Mindanao.

The BIFF is opposed to the talks and has previously launched attacks such as bombings in order to derail the peace process. With Agence France-Presse