By Francis Wakefield
An "Anti-Personnel Mine” was recovered by troops of the Army's 40th Infantry Battalion following a five-minute encounter against members of a local terrorist group in Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao on Wednesday, January 9.
A military report disclosed that the encounter happened in Sitio Landing Fish, Brgy. Darampua, at about 9:30 a.m.
Soldiers from the 40th IB, acting on a report from a concerned civilian, encountered two members of the Dawlah Islamiyah Torayfie Group (DITG) under Salahudin Hasssan. The encounter resulted to the recovery of one explosive composed of three unexploded ordnance of 81mm howitzer with triggering device.
No casualties were reported on the government side while it is believed that the enemy suffered a still undetermined number of casualties.
The civilian tipster said that the group of Salahudin Hassan is planning to transport the “Anti-Personnel Mines” from the marshy area of Sultan Sa Barongis to conduct terror attack in Cotabato City, Midsayap or other urbanized areas.
The elements of the 32nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal of the Army with a K9 team immediately arrived in the area and safely disrupted the explosive.
"After the bombing in Cotabato City, I instructed the men of our Joint Task Force Central to be on heightened alert to prevent more bombing attacks in Central Mindanao," said Joint Task Force (JTF) Central Commander Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana.
Sobejana, at the same time, also commended the troops for their fast action as they successfully intercepted the DITG planned bombing attacks in Central Mindanao. (Francis T. Wakefield)