Maguindanao Army conducts info drive on IED determination

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 1): Maguindanao Army conducts info drive on IED determination

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao: Due to unnecessary loss of lives of civilians and government forces in Maguindanao, the Army here has conducted an information drive aimed at helping civilians as well as soldiers in determining improvised explosive devices which had been regularly used by lawless elements in Maguindanao, the Army here said Thursday.

Lawless elements like the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have been using cell-phone detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in their attacks against government forces and even civilians in Maguindanao and other parts of the region.

Led by Army Staff Sergeant Albert Mojica of the 3rd Explosive and Ordnance Company, the Army's First Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Mechanized Army Division and the 31st Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team (EODT) had educated the public and infantrymen assigned in Maguindanao the IED recognition and awareness and recovery program in the towns of Shariff Aguak and Datu Hofer, Maguindanao.

The use of IED by lawless elements is one of the problems encountered by the government not only by the AFP and the PNP but civilians anywhere in the country.

It is one of the weapons of mass destruction of the Moro rebels in Mindanao, specifically the lawless Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The same were also used by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which is currently talking peace with Manila.

In previous statements, the MILF said it ceased using IEDs in compliance with the Geneva Convention.

"The IED has become a threat to the primacy of peace and security as well as economic growth and development in an area," according to Lt. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, 6th Infantry Division commander.

According to the Reward and Recovery Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, IED is usually a military ordnance which failed to explode upon impact during military operations. It is then called "UXO" or unexploded ordnance.

In a statement, the 6th ID said a military explosive becomes a "UXO" due to the malfunction of military ordnance and led to the failure of munitions to detonate in the arming process or it may be in the error or mishandling of the operators during combat operation.

These UXOs were left in the battle field which, unfortunately, landed in the hands of lawless elements.

Shariff Aguak and Datu Hoffer have been subjected to many terror attacks by lawless elements using power improvised bombs, especially before, during and shortly after the May 13 elections.

The BIFF used IED in destroying bridges, attacking military personnel through roadside bombings.

With ordinary foot soldiers having vital knowledge on how to determine IEDs, violence were preempted in may areas in the province, the Army said.

The Information Drive regarding Reward and Recovery Program (RRP) was a Public Affairs support in the unit area of operation in participation of the stakeholders for the implementation of this program.

Its primary aim is to solicit public support in collaboration with the stakeholders and military to prevent the proliferation of IEDs. It also aims to help state forces locate IED makers, trainers and financiers in exchange for monetary compensation.

Under the RRP program, citizens who provide information leading to the recovery of the IED will be given appropriate compensation.

Rewards are also given to anyone who surrenders or submit an IED to the nearest Army unit.

The Army statement also said vital in preserving the gains of the government's peace and development efforts in Maguindanao.

Civilians, and even soldiers, were told not to "touch" any suspected IED anywhere in their area of jurisdiction. The public is advised to report immediately to the nearest police or Army units any discovery of suspected IEDs.

Tinkering or playing with an IED is extremely discouraged for it may trigger premature explosion.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=550571