2 grenades explode near military base in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5): 2 grenades explode near military base in Maguindanao

Two 40-mm fragmentation grenades launched from an unknown direction exploded just a few meters away from a military detachment in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao, Friday night. No one was hurt during the explosion, according to Col. Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division. Asto hinted the same armed lawless group was behind the latest attack on the 6th ID but refused to identify it. “We’re certain this group perpetuated these attacks out to sow terror, fear,” he said.

The grenades, he explained, were fired from a purpose-built grenade launcher. Although a 40-mm grenade could inflict damage similar to a hand grenade, but it is launched faster and further. It can be fatal to infantry and could cause serious damage. “Though, no one was hurt during the explosions, residents nearby panicked when they heard the loud blasts,” Asto said.

The Friday explosion came a day after the discovery of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) placed at the entrance of the compound of the Shariff Aguak municipal town hall. The IEDs were defused later by operatives of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal team of the Philippine Army.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484675