Army blames extortion gangs in Maguindanao bombing attempts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): Army blames extortion gangs in Maguindanao bombing attempts

Authorities said extortion was believed to be the motive of lawless elements that planted an improvised explosive device at the main gate of the town hall of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao over the weekend. Col. Prudencio Asto, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the bombing attempt in the sentry of town hall and the series of bombings in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat could be related.

Asto said the IED could have been left there by the suspects from a bus due to presence of soldiers in checkpoints conducting inspection. "The checkpoints served as deterrent to suspected bombers," Asto said even as he urged civilians to remain vigilant.

The discovery of IED in Shariff Aguak came few days after extortion gang named Al-Khobar, composed of former Moro guerrillas turned bandits, bombed a Husky Bus that left 16 persons wounded in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

On Friday, a powerful IED fashioned from 60 mm mortars was found in front of the town hall compound, a few meters away from the Army base. Asto said it could be intended for soldiers or bus units plying the Cotabato-Gen. Santos highway.

After the discovery of IED at the main gate of the seat of municipal government, four rifle grenades were fired at the former Maguindanao Provincial Capitol compound which houses the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Nobody was hurt in the rifle grenade attack which were launched somewhere near the Army base.

On Saturday, Army bomb experts also defused a powerful IED inside a bag left unattended at Shariff Aguak town center. Civilians noticed the heavy and suspicious bag so they alerted the military, Asto said. "We need people like them," Asto said of the finder.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484970