Sultan Kudarat bomb plot foiled

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines — Security forces foiled an attempt of suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to bomb a Catholic church being constructed in Barangay Pimbalayan, Lambayong on Monday.

Bomb experts defused an improvised explosive device found under a bench. Another IED exploded as police officers and soldiers were cordoning the area.

No one was reported hurt in the blast, but the roof of the church was damaged.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the bomb plot could be in retaliation for the killing of BIFF men and reported wounding of one of their leaders in recent military operations.