Palace condemns Maguindanao bomb attacks

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang condemned the use of an improvised explosive device (IED) that injured at least 12 people  in Datu  Saudi in Maguindanao on Saturday morning.

“What happened on Saturday morning was not good and we are not amused,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on radio.

Valte urged the media to coordinate with officials on the ground especially in areas where fighting is likely to take place.

“Initial reports of Saturday’s incident showed at least six people were injured in an IED explosion in Maguindanao. Two were reportedly journalists.The military does not discount the possibility the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, could be behind the attack,” she said.

A reporter and a cameraman of TV 5 were among those injured in the blast.

Media agencies, Valte said, should abide by a safety protocol and cooperate with government representatives, including those of the police and the military, especially in controlled areas.

She said Malacañang is quite disturbed by the discovery of the remains of three child soldiers in one of the areas where fighting between the BIFF and government troops took place.

She condemed the use of child warriors by armed groups fighting the government in Mindanao.

“We are outraged that this group used child soldiers. This violates not just our laws but international laws as well. We condemn the practice of using child soldiers. Minors have no place in the battlefield,” she said.

The government, she said can help address the situation thorugh child support services, as well as the commitment of its security forces that they will not use child soldiers or warriors.

She also appealed to parents to make sure their children are not recruited for such exploitation.

“We appeal to parents not to allow their children to be exploited this way,” she said.

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