Bombs fail to topple Maguindanao bridge; BIFF denies responsibility

From InterAksyon (Jul 9): Bombs fail to topple Maguindanao bridge; BIFF denies responsibility



Map showing Datu Piang, Maguindanao and Pikit, North Cotabato, where skirmishes broke out between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter and the military over the weekend.

Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were accused of bombing a bridge in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on Tuesday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

But a spokesman of the rebel group, which broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, denied responsibility for the two improvised explosive devices that went off underneath the 30-meter Magaslong Bridge at around 11:30 a.m.

The bombs failed to destroy the bridge, although its foundations were weakened.
Engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways immediately checked the structure and "assessed that only light vehicles may pass the bridge for the meantime while portions of it that were damaged are undergoing repairs," Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said.

"But the bridge is still intact," Hermoso added.

Contacted by phone, the BIFF's Abumisry Mama denied they were behind the bombing. He suggested that the military may have staged the incident.

"We can't do that to our fellow Muslims here in Datu Piang," Mama said.

"We received information that four armed men, Tagalog-speaking (and) wearing camouflage clothes dropped by the area before the explosion happened," he added.

Datu Piang Mayor Genuine Kamaong condemned the bombing, calling the perpetrators "economic saboteurs."

"Imagine if that bridge collapsed, that would ruin the business cycle here. The people who cross that bridge will suffer," Kamaong said.

The bombing of the bridge comes on the heels of weekend clashes between BIFF fighters and government troops in North Cotabato and Maguindanao, with the military saying six soldiers had died while claiming to have killed 80 rebels.

At least 5,000 residents of affected villages also fled to avoid being caught in the fighting, which left at least seven civilians wounded.

6th ID commander Major General Romeo Gapuz accused the BIFF of harassing civilian communities over the past two weeks.

He said these incidents prompted them to ask the Adhoc Joint Action Group set up by the government and MILF permission to mount “surgical and intelligence-driven operations” against the BIFF.

The breakaway group’s known lairs are near or within MILF-controlled communities.
However, Gapuz said the AHJAG only gave them three days, which lapsed Saturday.

"We [stopped] the operations because Ramadan is already (about to start). The only clearance given to us by the joint panel is three days to conduct law enforcement operations. So we have to abide by that so as not to derail the peace process," Gapuz said.

However, he said they were not relaxing their guard.

"We are prepared for that while we’re abiding (by) rules and regulations on the ground in connection with the peace process, especially customs and traditions in relation to Ramadan," he said.

Gapuz also clarified the reports on BIFF casualties, saying the figure was based on information from civilians who claimed to have seen the dead rebels.

Originally, the military said they had counted 18 BIFF fatalities.

Gapuz estimated the BIFF to have a regular force of 200 fighters.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65934/bombs-fail-to-topple-maguindanao-bridge-biff-denies-responsibility