Soldiers found bomb components during clearing operations in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao on Saturday morning, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Sunday.
The AFP said soldiers found cellular circuit boards, fuses, blasting caps and cell phone batteries, which are used to detonate improvised bombs, in an abandoned house in Sitio Quarry in Datu Unsay. It said the bomb components were left behind by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters fleeing law enforcement operations in the province.
"We will continue to deploy troops in these former BIFF-controlled areas inside the 'SPMS Box'. We will not allow Basit Usman and his cohorts to make this area a safe haven and launching pad for their terrorist actions against innocent people," AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said in a press statement.
The SPMS Box includes the towns of Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak, where BIFF members are believed to have retreated with Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman.
The AFP also challenged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose fighters have been relocated to an "Area of Temporary Stay" because of the law enforcement operations against the BIFF, to keep members of the breakaway group out.
Operations against the BIFF continue.
Peace projects
Operations against the BIFF continue.
Peace projects
Catapang has meanwhile instructed ground commanders to stop operations in areas that have already been cleared and to secure areas where the AFP can hold graduation ceremonies in coordination with the local government and the Education department.
Classes have had to be suspended in some areas because of the fighting.
The AFP chief added the military will implement development projects in the area.
Classes have had to be suspended in some areas because of the fighting.
The AFP chief added the military will implement development projects in the area.
"The president has instructed me to facilitate the launching of peace and development projects in the area. An initial amount of P67 million pesos has been allocated by the president for infrastructure projects that we dubbed as 'Bridge for Peace', 'Roads for Peace', 'Hospital for Peace' and 'School for Peace'," he said.
Construction will begin next week on a bridge project in Mamasapano town, where a clash between the police Special Action Force, and members of the MILF, the BIFF, and other armed groups, left more than 60 people dead.
"We want to help the government turn this impoverished town into a productive place where people use plows instead of guns in their quest for economic prosperity and lasting peace," Catapang said.
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