CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Authorities have tightened security in Marawi City in the troubled province of Lanao del Sur after police forces disarmed a powerful bomb planted on a road frequently used by government troops passing in the area.
The bomb – assembled from an 81mm mortar round – was defused following its discovery on Thursday in Gandongan village. It was not immediately known whether the improvised explosive was planted by members of the jihadist group Islamic State Ranao or other allies.
Security forces were fighting IS Ranao headed by Abdullah Maute, alias Abu Hassan, since last week and at least 4 soldiers had been killed and over a dozen more wounded in sporadic clashes in Butig town.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the foiled bombing, but this coincided with the military’s announcement that it had captured an IS Ranao camp in the town.
The military said troops also recovered improvised explosives, illegal drugs and IS propaganda materials from the camp. The jihadists are fighting for Islamic caliphate and have pledged allegiance with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Lanao is one of five provinces under the restive Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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