ZAMBOANGA CITY – More than a dozen soldiers and civilians, including children, were injured in two separate blasts in the restive southern Philippine region of Mindanao, authorities said.
The military’s Western Mindanao Command said eight soldiers were wounded after an Abu Sayyaf explosive they recovered in Sulu’s Patikul town accidentally went off.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the soldiers were rushed to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo. He said the soldiers were gathering war materiel left behind by the Abu Sayyaf following heavy clashes Saturday when the blast occurred.
“Numerous firearms and war materiel were also recovered including an improvised explosive device which accidentally exploded and resulted to the wounding of eight soldiers,” Besana said.
He said members of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Samuel Yunque, clashed with about 40 militants under Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Almujer Yaddah, Sonny Boy Sajirin Ellam Hasirin in Bangkal village.
The fighting, Besana said, lasted 30 minutes. “Troops were able to maneuver and take advantage and pushing the bandits to scamper to different directions after 30 minutes of firefight,” he said, adding, the clashes may have incurred casualties on the enemy side.
He said the soldiers, whose unit is part of the Joint Task Force-Sulu, have intensified their operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
Besana, reading a report by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, task force commander, quoted him as saying: “We have intensified our operations to pursue the fleeing bandits to prevent them from committing atrocities against the people.”
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said Joint Task Force Sulu continued to exhaust all efforts and means to contain the Abu Sayyaf and constrict its movement. “We are continuously intensifying the conduct of focused military operations, in coordination with the local governments and the people of Sulu, to neutralize the terrorist group,” he said.
Police also said a powerful explosion wounded at least six people in Compostela Valley province, a known stronghold of communist rebels.
It said the blast occurred in Bukal village in Nabunturan and that three children were among the injured. The explosion occurred before midnight Saturday, but it was unclear whether the blast was an act of terrorism.
Two adult women, and a teenager were also injured in the explosion and police said it was still investigating the blast. It said police investigators recovered pieces of mangled aluminum containing traces of gunpowder.
Police have tightened security patrol in the town. AL JACINTO