Marine killed, 4 hurt in Maguindanao blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The military has tagged a terrorist group in a roadside bombing in Maguindanao on Fridaynight that killed a Marine and wounded four other soldiers.

The fatality was identified only as a certain Pvt. Angot.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 were conducting security patrol when the bomb exploded when their vehicle passed in Barangay Lipongo in Datu Hoffer town.

“This horrendous act perpetrated by the terrorists is simply unacceptable,” Vinluan said.

“Rest assured that we will exhaust every available resource to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central and 6th Army Division commander, said an investigation is underway to determine the type of bomb used and the group behind the bombing.

Uy said the attack could be in retaliation for the killing of Dawlah Islamiyah bomber Jeoffrey Nilong and his brother in a joint police and military operation in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat last week.

The group of Nilong was tagged in a spate of bombings in Isulan’s public market last year.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators.

Cascolan directed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez to donduct tactical operations against the suspects. – John Unson, Emmanuel Tupas