Gov’t troops find more bombs in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao –– Government troops found six more powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Maguindanao Wednesday as the military intensified its offensive against Islamic State-linked militants.

The total number of IEDs recovered since the operations began on Nov. 24 is now 20. Earlier, soldiers found 14 IEDs in various hideouts of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and head of Joint Task Force Central, said the latest set of IEDs was found in Barangay Pamalian in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.

Carreon said elements of the 5th Special Forces Battalion, while continuously clearing the area from the terror groups who have scampered away, discovered the IEDs.

The IEDs were made from unexploded ordnance, specifically, two 81-mm mortar rounds, three 60-mm mortar rounds, and one rocket-propelled grenade warhead.

“Our ground troops under the 601st Infantry Brigade will continue to scour the areas of engagement for the remnants of the terrorists. They intentionally left those IEDs to harm our troops who are continuously pursuing them,” Carreon said in a statement.

The Army’s demolition team successfully defused the IEDs and brought them to the 33rd Infantry Battalion Tactical Command Post for safekeeping.

Carreon said soldiers continue to scour for more IEDs left by fleeing BIFF to ensure these would not harm civilians.

Edited by LZB