Bomb experts deactivate improvised explosive device in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY – Military bomb experts on Tuesday afternoon deactivated an improvised ordnance along the national highway in Barangay Rebuken, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

It was the second improvised explosive device reported in Maguindanao Tuesday, the first had exploded and injured an Army sergeant.

The explosive was fashioned from a 60 mm mortar with two-way radio, “Double A” battery and electrical wiring as triggering mechanism, according to Colonel Earl Baliao, commander of the 603^rd Infantry Brigade.

Baliao said portions of the highway was closed for about two hours while bomb experts meticulously checked on the IED placed inside a plastic bag and left unattended at a road in Barangay Rebuken, about six kilometers from here.

Baliao told reporters that a certain Norodin found the IED and quickly alerted a military detachment nearby of his discovery.

After it was confirmed a bomb, experts placed blasting cap and deactivated the IED.

Baliao was uncertain who placed the bomb in the area and to whom it was for. He said government forces could be its target.

About 10 hours earlier, a soldier, identified as Sgt. Ricor Bitoon of the 1^st Mechanized Army brigade, was wounded when a powerful bomb went off in Barangay Lower Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The Army blamed the lawless Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) because the explosive has its “signatures.”

The BIFF denied it was behind the bombing.