COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 6, 2012) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front has launched its own probe into the series of foiled bomb attacks in Maguindanao province.
Civilians on Saturday discovered a powerful homemade bomb in Shariff Aguak town, but military and police authorities remain silent about the breach in security. The improvised explosive, assembled from mortar bombs and detonator, was found by locals in downtown area.
The 6th Infantry Division did not give any statement about the breach in security despite the huge numbers of soldiers deployed in the province where its main headquarters are located.
Army spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto did not answer repeated phone calls by journalists trying to get a statement from the military about its failure to prevent bombing attempts.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the foiled bombing.
“We are also conducting our own investigation into the recovery of bombs and other explosives in recent weeks and we are looking whether this has anything to do with the peace talks between the MILF and the Aquino government. This could also be connected to politics or a third party trying to muddle up the peace talks,” Von al Haq, a rebel spokesman, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The governor of Maguindanao, Esmael Mangudadatu, also did not give a statement about the foiled bombing, but had been the target of bomb attacks in the past and he blamed his political foes for all attempts to kill him.
The MILF has signed a framework agreement with Manila in October for the creation of Bangsamoro homeland, which would replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao comprising of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan. (Mindanao Examiner)
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