COTABATO CITY – An improvised explosive went off on a highway in North Cotabato’s Pikit town in southern Philippines, but authorities on Thursday reported no casualties from the attack by suspected rebels.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers recovered bomb shrapnel and concrete nails, including broken parts of a cell phone used to detonate the explosive in downtown area.
“The blast was believed carried out by rebels who continue to sow terror and fear and without regards to the lives of innocent civilians,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but it occurred on January 14 on the eve of Pope Francis’ visit to Manila. The Pontiff arrived Thursday from Sri Lanka for a four-day visit as part of his Asian tour.
“We have recovered broken parts of cell phone, 9 volts battery, and concrete nails and a burnt piece of black cloth. There was no report of casualties,” Petinglay said.
Previous bombings in the province were largely blamed by the police and military to the rebel group called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which is fighting for an independent state in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)
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