Military-media convoy narrowly misses roadside bomb blast in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines – Another roadside bomb exploded in a village in Maguindanao on Tuesday afternoon after military and media vehicles passed by the area.

An improvised explosive device exploded at Tuka village in Mamasapano town at 2:05 p.m., Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, military spokesperson said.

The IED exploded shortly after the troops of the Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion and 12 Mechanized Company passed by the area towards Rajah Buayan.

The military personnel were in two Simba fighting vehicles and KM250 trucks. They were joined by five civilian vehicles, three of which were from the media. The military vehicles were about 100 to 200 meters away from the civilian vehicles.

No casualties were reported.

Zagala said a team from the mechanized brigade was sent for IED clearing at the scene of the blast.

The military said on Monday that it would heighten its preemptive security measures as it prepares for possible retaliatory attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“It is expected that remnants of BIFF will continue a lot of their atrocities. It’s very important that the presence of troops for clearing operation continue even after the termination of operation,” Zagala said.

The military launched a weeklong offensive against the BIFF. They were supposed to serve arrest warrant against BIFF facing criminal charges. It ended over the weekend.

Zagala also advised the media covering in Cotabato to be more careful as IEDs are not only aimed towards government forces but anyone may be hit by its reach.

“We advise them when following convoys to keep safe distance and keep situational awareness when covering,” he said.

Because of the explosion, Zagala said they would continue their clearing operations to remove threats.

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