Soldier hurt in roadside bombing in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—A soldier was injured when suspected Moro rebels early Tuesday set off a roadside bomb in a remote village in Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, the military said.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson, said the blast occurred before sunrise while the soldiers were patrolling the village of Meta to provide security to Muslim faithful preparing food before dawn.

She refused to identify the wounded infantryma but said he belonged to the 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) station in conflict-affected Datu Unsay town.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), said four soldiers were hurt in the roadside bombing.

Mama, however, denied his group was behind the blast.

“We don’t know who set off the bomb but what I know four soldiers were injured,” Mama said in a phone interview.

Petinglay maintained only one trooper was hurt.

The 34th IB, one of the units under the 6th ID, has repeatedly been harassed by elements of the BIFF since February.

“The BIFF is believed behind the roadside bombing,” Petinglay said, without elaborating.

“Since the start of fasting month (on Monday), our troops have been conducting community patrols while our Muslim sisters and brothers observe the holy month,” she said in Filipino.

“Sadly, our troops are harassed,” she said, adding it (bombing) will not hinder troops from its duty to protect the civilians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. RAM/rga

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