3 bombings rock Mindanao

MANILA - The Philippine Army beefed up security measures in some areas in Mindanao after 3 bombings rocked the region on Wednesday. The bombings occurred in Midsayap, North Cotabato; Datu Piang and Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao. Seven soldiers were injured in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, an attack claimed by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Meanwhile, Col. Dickson Hermoso of the 6th Infantry Division said they are considering the three bombings as isolated cases. He said the military remains on heightened alert as they have been receiving reports of other possible attacks in the area. "Kung amin pong titignan, sa aming coverage ng 6th Infantry Division, hindi naman po endemic sa lahat ng aming lugar na nasasakupan, sa probinsya ng Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato at part of Lanao del Sur. Still we assess that those are isolated cases na hindi naman kumalat sa buong area ng 6th ID. However, yung vigilance po ng 6th ID in-intensify at hineighten po namin especially in securing civilian communities, securing the national highway at vital installations tulad ng communication towers ng National Grid," he said. "We are expecting na gagawa pa sila ng ganun dahil may nasasagap kaming relevant information na right now amin pong dinadagdagan ang security sa mga Muslim communities dahil they are celebrating Eid al-Fitr today or tomorrow," he added. Hermoso said the seven soldiers hurt in Shariff Saydona Mustapha have already returned to their unit after sustaining minor injuries from the blast. ANC HEADSTART, August 8, 2013