Authorities foil bomb try; Gov. Mangudadatu thinks he’s target

Attached is the photo of an IED the Army recovered in a road in Barangay Tabungao, Raja Buayan where Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu and jhis convoy was to pass Wednesday morning. (6th ID photo)

BULUAN, MAGUINDANAO – Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and his brother escaped a roadside bombing attempt Wednesday as they were on their way to a medical mission in Raja Buayan town in Maguindanao.

Mangudadatu and his brother Freddie, mayor of Mangudadatu town, were on their way to the town center when civilians found the powerful improvised explosive device (IED) at a pavement in Barangay Tabungao where the convoy of Mangudadatu was to pass around 10 a.m.

“The IED was properly disposed by Army bomb experts,” Mangudadatu said in a radio interview.

Mayor Freddie, president of Maguindanao mayors’ league, believed the IED was meant for them. He, however, said he and his governor-brother were not scared and even vowed to push with development projects in the province.

Engr. Zamsamin Ampatuan, mayor of Raja Buayan, said the Mangudadatus were to attend the Balik Baril program of the local government and the turn over ceremonies of a school building project built through funds from Mangudadatu and implemented by the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion.

Gov. Mangudadatu said he had been receiving information about possible roadside bombing whenever he attended political events and other activities in the province.

The last termer Gov. Mangudadatu, who is seeking a seat in the House, has survived at least five roadside bombings since he assumed office in 2010.

Raja Buayan is a town near the Liguasan marshland where Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operates. But no one has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s foiled bombing, as of this posting. /kga