- An explosion in Maguindanao took the life of one soldier and injured five others
- The soldiers were conducting clearing operations in the town of Datu Salibo
- The improvised explosive device was left by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
An improvised explosive device (IED) set off in the town of Datu Salibo in Maguindanao province on Friday; leaving one soldier dead and five others wounded.
The soldiers were about to take their rest after the clearing operations around the area of Barangay Tee when the explosion occurred.
The marshland in the area had served as a hiding place for elements of the terror group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
The device that was set off is believed to be among those previously planted by the group. Members of the 57th Infantry Battalion were tasked to clear the area.
Private First Class Jury Catalan was identified as the sole fatality in the blast. He was supposed to be brought to the 6th Infantry Division for treatment, but he died along the way.
Meanwhile, the five others wounded in the explosion were identified as Staff Sergeant Danilo Mondejar, SSG Renante Bolivar, PFC Raymundo Madis, PFC Von Chakie Viaje, and PFC Romnick Herminado.
A day earlier, a clash between the military and the BIFF also led to the death of one soldier and injuring five others.
The marshland where the incident occurred is believed to have already been abandoned by the BIFF members. However, more IEDs are still expected to have been scattered around the area.
So far, government troops have already recovered three IEDs.
“Wala nang resistance sa area so malamang nakatakbo na sa kung saan ‘yung mga ‘yun. Yung IEDs na tinanim nila ganon pa rin, black powder with nails. [There is no more resistance in the area so the BIFF has already escaped. The IEDs that they have planted are still the same, black powder with nails],” explained 57th Infantry Battalion commander Ltc. Jose Ambrosio Rustia to ABS-CBN News.
The BIFF in the area had attempted to stop a dredging project in the municipality and burned two backhoes.
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