Maguindanao Blast Hurts 6 Soldiers, Civilians, Media Men

A reported improvised explosive device(IED) exploded at around 7:30 am Saturday in Barangay Lower Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao hurting twelve people, including six civilians.

Military officials said six soldiers and six civilians, including two media men were injured from the said blast and were taken to a local hospital.

Regional military spokesman Col. Dickson Hermoso, in a phone interview with Gma News, said they were caught off guard as the explosion happened in a populated area.

“most unexpected place kasi maraming tao, civilians doon,” he said as he claimed that it was the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who was responsible for the act.

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Hermoso said the military has yet to decide if they will ask for an extension from the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) to continue their military operations against the BIFF.

Last week, Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said military operations will end on Saturday, based on the deadline approved by the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).

Zagala added the operation has been extended after the first deadline ended on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Zagala confirmed in a text message to Gma News Online, that six soldiers and six civilians, including two media men from TV5, were injured from an explosion made from an improvised explosive device (IED).

Source: Gma News Online