MANILA, Philippines – Joint operatives of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police foiled a bomb attack in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on Sunday, May 27.

Cops and soldiers found in front of Griño Elementary School a “suspicious black bag” which carried an improvised explosive device (IED), according to a report sent from Camp Siongco in Maguindanao.

Authorities said the IED was made of unexploded ordnance from 105mm ammunition. They suspect the planned attack to coincide with the school’s Brigada Eskwela, the annual activity which encourages the participation of teachers, parents, and the community to do clean up and repairs in public schools.

Just last January, Tacurong City was hit by a bomb attack that left at least 2 dead and 16 injured. More recently, during a raid on May 7, security forces seized an improvised bomb in the province. 

How the bomb was discovered: According to the report, a civilian informant helped authorities in crippling the attack.

The said informant claimed that a certain Yasser Saligan of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) planned IED attacks targeting Sultan Kudarat. Saligan apparently belongs to the BIFF’s Bungos faction.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, the new 6th Infantry Division commander, thanked the tipster and urged the public to report to the police or army if they spot “any suspicious thing or acts.” – Rappler.com

IED image via Shutterstock