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By Anthony Vargas Reporter
GOVERNMENT security forces foiled
what could be a terrorist bomb attack in Central Mindanao after bomb
experts dismantled three improvised bombs in the vicinity of the
Tacurong City public market in Sultan Kudarat province.
The discovery and dismantling of
three powerful improvised bombs came as security forces in Mindanao
were placed on heightened alert status against possible terror
attacks.
Initial reports reaching Camp
Crame said the bombs made up of 60mm mortar shells were discovered
about 6 a.m. near the public market of Tacurong City, a
predominantly Christian capital.
Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, Army’s
6th Infantry Division spokesman, said three bombs rigged from 60mm
mortar explosives was stuffed inside a black bag and concealed under
the makeshift secondhand clothing stall owned by local trader
Joselito Baylon in the area.
A helper of the trader identified
as Julian Decolongon discovered the bomb and immediately brought it
to a nearby empty children’s park before seeking police
assistance.
“It was just fortunate that a
worker of Baylon noticed the suspicious-looking bag containing the
explosives,” Ando said.
Tacurong City Police chief, Supt.
Joel Limson said in the report that an “ukay-ukay” vendor
discovered the bomb near her stall in the market.
The city police chief said that a
bomb disposal unit was immediately dispatched in the area to defuse
the bombs that were left behind by still-unknown suspects.
Baylon noted that he had no
enemies, prompting police probers to theorize that the Alkobar
extortion ring could have been behind the foiled bombing attempt.
The Alkobar group claimed
responsibility for recent bombings in the city and the near
environs.
The Tacurong bomb attempt came
days after Army bomb experts disarmed a fragmentation grenade
planted in a cafeteria inside the public market of Mlang, North
Cotabato.
Dondon Suelo, a worker of
Dawn’s Cafeteria, discovered the explosive, which was stuffed
inside a plastic bag about 7:30 a.m. on Monday.
Senior Insp. Eldy Magbanua, Mlang
police chief, said the explosive no longer had its safety pin, as
its lever was attached to the plastic bag. Magbanua ruled out
extortion as the motive behind the incident, citing the
cafeteria’s owner has no extortion threat prior to the incident.
“The motive was to kill and damage property,” he said.
In the past, Tacurong City
experienced bomb attacks staged by extortion gangs and Islamic
militants, notably by members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).
Security forces have also eyed JI
bombers as behind the recent bombing in Kidapawan City in North
Cotabato early this month that have resulted in the deaths of at
least two people.
The said bombing incident has
prompted the US, Australia and Canada to issue travel advisories
warning its citizens about venturing into Mindanao due to likelihood
of terrorist attack.
Last week, the National
Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) recommended to government
security forces to raise the alert-level for terror warning in
Mindanao.
The warning was recommended due
to reports that Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro rebels were planning to
launch bombing attacks after the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy
month, last Friday.
With PNA
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