Bomb discovery prompts closure of Cotabato City-Isulan Highway

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The Army here briefly shut down portions of the Cotabato City-Isulan Highway following the discovery of a bomb along the highway in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town around 6 a.m. Thursday.

The improvised explosive device, fashioned from a 60-millimeter mortar and 40-mm rifle grenade projectiles with mobile phone as triggering device, was found in Sitio Panang in Barangay Salbu.

It was disabled by explosives experts an hour later.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division based here, said elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion and members of the Maguindanao Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) were conducting foot patrol along the highway as the fasting month began when they found the IED.

Encinas said no one had claimed responsibility for the foiled bombing but military intelligence operatives eyed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as behind it. The BIFF operates in the town.

He added that the IED could be intended for military convoys that regularly pass by the Cotabato-Isulan highway in Barangay Salbu.