Thursday, August 8, 2013

EastMinCom: Bomb making skills growing

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Aug 8): EastMinCom: Bomb making skills growing

EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Lieutenant General Rainier Cruz said, “it has stepped up its intelligence gathering and set-up check and chokepoints in light of the recent bombings and terror threats in the last four weeks.”

Cruz, who was in Cagayan de Oro to attend the formal assumption of command of Brigadier General Ricardo Visaya as commander of the army’s 4th Infantry Division added that the recent bombings in Mindanao could be or not related but one thing is sure -- bomb making skills has proliferated and instructions on how to make one are available on the internet.

Checkpoints

Cruz said the AFP has spread its forces to conduct searches in checkpoints and following leads to capture those who have the capabilities to provide materials and transport those bomb materials and prevent it from reaching their target areas.

On July 26, a bomb exploded in Kyla’s Bistro at Rosario Arcade inside Lim Ket Kai Complex killing eight and wounding 46.

Ten days later, a bomb rocked Cotabato City killing nine and wounded 40.

On Wednesday dawn, a bomb exploded outside a pawnshop in Midsayap town in North Cotabato with no casualty and wounded reported, but left damaged properties.

Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Noel Coballes also said that the army are now on heightened alert and is providing continuous supports to the local government units in preventing further bombing incidents.

“Bomb for hire”

Coballes added that they are now on the move to provide and locate where the bombs are being made, where it is transported and where its targets are.

Coballes also said that they are into “maximum stakeholders” engagement citing reasons that security concerns are not just of the police and the military but a full cooperation from the public.

He also said that there are now groups operating a “bomb for hire” and that these are being monitored.

Cruz added that it has also doubled its Explosive and Ordnance Disposal teams to help assists in bomb dispersals.

Its intelligence groups are also monitoring the coastal areas and river systems in Mindanao as these are possible new transportation routes of bombs and bomb components.

The AFP is also conducting arms access interceptions in areas where there are known bomb making activities.

“We’re trying to contain it, we are following leads on bombs,” Cruz said.
 

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