Army, police step up security amid bomb threats in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 20): Army, police step up security amid bomb threats in Maguindanao

Police and military forces in Maguindanao province have intensified security measures along the highways following attempts by lawless groups to set off roadside bombings against government forces and civilians.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police provincial director, said Thursday that joint police and soldiers from the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade have taken measures in a bid to foil the attempt of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to hurt combatants and civilians.

Tello said the steps were taken after the Tacurong City bombings that left 16 injured. He also cited an intelligence information that the BIFF will stage more bomb attacks.

On Wednesday morning, suspected BIFF elements set off an improvised bomb along the national highway in Barangay Nabundas, Datu Shariff Saydona town, about 10 kilometers from the Maguindanao police provincial headquarters here.

Tello said the target of roadside bombing were government forces who regularly patrol the area, a known bailiwick of the BIFF, a breakaway armed group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

But BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama denied his group had a hand in the bombings against soldiers or against civilians.

Tello said the police and soldiers are bent on securing civilians and commuters along major thoroughfares in Maguindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=981149