Authorities foil bombing attempt in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Authorities foiled on midnight Sunday an attempt to bomb the premises of the Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal police office using an improvised explosive device rigged on a motorcycle.

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Monday bystanders noticed the abandoned motorcycle, enabling the local police and Army bomb experts to deactivate promptly the IED placed neatly under its upholstered seat.

The municipal police station in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao is beside roadside vending stalls where people from interior barangays shop for commercial goods, farm tools and other merchandise early in the morning.

“It was very likely that the IED was set to explode in the morning of Monday. It was fortunate enough that vigilant residents and our police personnel there were able to prevent what could have been a bloody IED incident. Vigilance and patriotism among people can really help,” Mijares said.

The PRO-ARMM and units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division have been securing areas in Maguindanao that are vulnerable to bomb attacks by Islamic State-inspired militants following the fatal August 28 and September 2 bombings in Isulan town.

Isulan is the capital of nearby Sultan Kudarat province, also covered by 6th ID but under the jurisdiction of the Police Regional Office-12.

Five were killed while more than 40 others were injured in the bombings, blamed on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The group is using the black Islamic State flag as banner and has been trying to sabotage the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.