TERROR BOMBS. Government forces find improvised explosive devices in an abandoned house in the middle of the marshland in Pikit, North Cotabato while pursuing suspected bombers on Friday (Dec. 27, 2019). The military in central Mindanao has remained in full alert to thwart possible bomb attacks by the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. (Photo courtesy of 7th IB)
CARMEN, North Cotabato -- Soldiers pursuing a band of Islamic State-linked armed men, who were believed to be behind the recent bombings in North Cotabato, stumbled on a bomb-making shelter in Pikit, North Cotabato on Friday.
Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, said government forces were pursuing elements of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) suspected to have a hand in the December 22 Libungan town bombing that hurt five persons when they chanced upon an isolated house at the marshland in Sitio Blah, Barangay Malaulanan, Pikit, North Cotabato at past 6 a.m. Friday.
“A civilian has earlier alerted the military about suspicious activities by unidentified men in the house the past few days,” he said.
Capulong said combined elements of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 34th IB, local police and in coordination with other law enforcers, raided the house where they found IEDs ready for deployment to target areas.
Seized from the abandoned house were improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in 10 plastic containers loaded with flash powder with an improvised electric blasting cap, one plastic container, a liter of flash powder, a 20-meter long firing wire, and a 12-volt battery.
Capulong has urged the public to remain vigilant to resist the possible bombing attacks from the terror groups and immediately report to proper authorities any suspicious bags or items left unattended in their midst. (PNA)
