Another Sulu bridge bombed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf bandits, along with rogue Moro guerrillas, bombed another bridge in Sulu on Saturday night, the military said.

No one was reported hurt though as an improvised explosive went off at the Kilometer 15 Bridge in Barangay Pangdanon, Patikul town at around 10:40 p.m. Saturday, said Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Cabangbang, however, said the bridge was still passable to light vehicles despite the damage caused by the blast.

Last Wednesday, another bridge in Barangay Kandayok in Panamao town was also bombed by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Cabangbang cited assessments by the police and military that the militants were trying to cut off access to roads they believe were being used by soldiers and police forces responding to contingencies.

“The lawless elements in the area view bridges and roads as high speed avenues for security forces, instead of instruments of development,” Cabangbang said.

He said the Abu Sayyaf and the rogue rebels want “to isolate civilians from government services.”

According to the military, insurgents have used the strategy of isolation to make it appear that civilian communities were being deprived of government services, thus they would get the sympathy of the local folk.