Bombings a last gasp, says military chief

MANILA, Philippines–Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang on Monday reminded the troops to be “security or safety conscious,” following a bomb blast in North Cotabato Sunday that killed three civilians and wounded 22 others.

The AFP blamed the explosion caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that, he said, wanted to project themselves as still “a force to be reckoned with” by conducting a pocket rebellion.

“They are a spent force,” Catapang said of the rebels, including the communist New People’s Army. “They are becoming irrelevant in terms of their purpose,” he said, adding that the rebels had resorted to attacking isolated military patrol bases and police stations because it had become difficult to convince the people to join them.

“People are now claiming the peace in their respective provinces. They want peace, they want progress, they want prosperity,” Catapang said.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID), said the North Cotabato explosion took place near Poblacion A in M’lang town.

Killed on the spot were Lourence John Camiring and Jade Villarin. A third fatality, Rex Javier, later died while undergoing treatment at a Kidapawan hospital.

The wounded included Rouwell Cordero, 23; Ian Cris Quintanita, 27; Lovelyn Catinoy; Aljamen Aguirre, 17; Erica Mae Jacinto; Jason Cadungon; Jomar Basas, 16; Keneth Garcia, 18; Ruth Billones; Ryan Ignacio, 28; Marjan Billones, 13; Apolinario Egoy, 48; Mike Caba, 22, and Amar Patad.

“The attack was believed to be the handiwork of the BIFF which carried out attacks against communities in the past weeks,” the AFP said.