IED disarmed on Maguindanao highway

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): IED disarmed on Maguindanao highway

Military bomb disposal experts disarmed a homemade bomb found early Monday morning along the national highway in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

A report from the Army’s 601st Brigade in Maguindanao said the roadside improvised explosive device was discovered by locals at around 6:30 a.m. at the vicinity of Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak, which borders the town of Datu Unsay, both situated in the 2nd district of the province.

Responding members of the military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit called for the closure of the highway from motorists for more than an hour as they disarmed the bomb.

Accordingly, the planted bomb, rigged from an 81-mm mortar explosive, cut nails, metal shards, and cellular phone as trigger mechanism, bore the signature style of the IS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which has been the target of military operations in the volatile “SPMS box” in the area since last year.

The “SPMS box” refers to the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo, where presence of BIFF elements is highly monitored.

Security forces in the province were ordered to maintain a high alert status following the incident.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1021587