2 soldiers hurt in IED blast in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Two soldiers were injured in another roadside bombing in Shariff Aguak town on Thursday morning, the 17th in Maguindanao province in two months.

 

The blast victims, both from the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion, sustained shrapnel wounds.

 

They were part of a team patrolling in Barangay Timbangan, Shariff Aguak when an improvised explosive device planted along their route went off, apparently detonated from a distance using a mobile phone.

 

Capt. Arvin Encinas, public affairs officer of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said they have received information from barangay residents that the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are behind the attack.

 

Three policemen were injured in a roadside bombing last week in nearby Mamasapano town, also in Maguindanao.

 

The BIFF is known for its propensity for wanton bombings, targeting even innocent civilians, to avenge losses in encounters with state forces.

 

Units of 6th ID have been fighting BIFF forces since January this year, killing more than 30 in intermittent encounters since.

 

The military has also seized 40 guns and more than a dozen powerful IEDs from the BIFF.