COTABATO CITY – While conducting clearing operations on Monday, government troops recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
“Troops of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion were conducting clearing operations when they discovered an IED made of 105mm projectile in Barangay Salman of the municipality of Ampatuan,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
Vinluan commended the troops of the Joint Task Force Central under Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy for remaining steadfast in securing the people of Central Mindanao.
He also congratulated the soldiers of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion for this laudable accomplishment.
Lt. Col. Cresencio Sanchez, Jr., commander of the 1st Mechanized Battalion said they immediately coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team for the proper handling of the explosive.
“We also alerted the Patrol Bases and Detachments for the possible enemy sighting,” Sanchez said.
Col. Ferdinand Lacadin, officer-in-charge of 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said an investigation will be conducted to identify the perpetrators of this foiled IED attack.
Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, ‘condemned this act of terrorism that put the lives of innocent civilians in grave danger.’
“They continue to launch desperate attacks with blatant disregard to the safety of the people, thus, we continue to intensify our operations to thwart their inhumane ploys,” Uy said. – NewsLine.ph
