3 explosions hit Maguindanao in a week

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Another explosion rocked the province of Maguindanao on Friday, September 29, the 3rd to hit the province this week. 

Captain Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said the explosion rocked the town of Guindulungan on Friday but no one was hurt. He said the military had cleared the area but troops were placed on “double alert.”

A report obtained by Rappler shows the incident happened along the Cotabato-Insulan national highway  at 7:30 pm on Friday.

Encinas said investigators had yet to identify those responsible for the explosion.  

Troops there are fighting the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the breakaway group of the dominant Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The BIFF has reported links with interantional terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS). 

Twin blasts hit nearby town Datu Odin Sinsuat on Wednesday, September 27. Four people sustained shrapnel wounds that infliced minor injuries, said Encinas.

They are Barangay Semba Chairman Pendatun Sinsuat, Barangay Kagawad Sinarimbo Lalaog, Police Officer 2 Bobby Guialani Pendililang, and Army Sergeant Eddie Cane.

The 4 were responding to an explosion near an Army training camp in the barangay when a second explosion took place.  

The military tagged the BIFF as responsible for the blast, supposedly to divert military attention from operations against them. 

The military said the BIFF initially planned to reinforce the Maute Group in Marawi City. Troops there were instructed to keep local terrorists  from crossing to neighboring province Lanao Del Sur, where Marawi City is located. – Rappler.com