6 soldiers, 6 civilians, including 2 media men, hurt in Maguindanao blast

From GMA News (Feb 1): 6 soldiers, 6 civilians, including 2 media men, hurt in Maguindanao blast

At least twelve people, including six civilians, were reported injured in an explosion at around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday in Barangay Lower Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao, according to a military official.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said six soldiers and six civilians, including two media men from TV5, were injured from an improvised explosive device (IED) blast.

Earlier, in a separate phone interview, regional military spokesman Col. Dickson Hermoso said the injured were rushed to a local hospital. He has yet to identify the wounded victims.

Hermoso said they were caught off guard as the explosion happened in "the most unexpected place kasi maraming tao, civilians doon."

Hermoso claimed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, were behind the blast.

He, however, said the military has yet to decide if they will ask the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) for another extension to continue their military operations against the breakaway group.

Earlier, Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said military operations will end on Saturday, based on the deadline approved by the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG). He added that this has been extended after the first deadline ended on Wednesday.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/346524/news/regions/6-soldiers-6-civilians-including-2-media-men-hurt-in-maguindanao-blast