Another school bombed in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Gunmen bombed another school building in Maguindanao’s Sultan Mastura town late Friday, authorities said.

The latest attack occurred two days after suspected partisans fired 40 millimeter explosive projectiles at classrooms in six different campuses in the municipality.

The bombing of a classroom in Tambo Elementary School in Barangay Tambo northwest of Sultan Mastura caused panic among villagers residing in the vicinity.

Intelligence operatives from the Army’s 603rd Brigade, which has jurisdiction over Sultan Mastura and neighboring towns, are now helping the local police investigate on the incident.

The bombing in Barangay Tambo was preceded by a series of explosions before dawn Wednesday inside the campuses of Tapayan Central School, the Dagurungan Elementary School, the Tuka Elementary School, the Darping Elementary School, the Tareken Primary School and the Simuay Seashore Elementary School, all located southwest of Sultan Mastura.

Barangay officials had told reporters the suspects also shot the buildings with M16 rifles as they fled.

Senior Inspector Wendylyn Banico, chief of the Sultan Mastura municipal police, said there are indications the attacks were politically motivated.

He said they have tapped the support of community elders in identifying the culprits.