Alert civilians and policemen foiled a bombing attempt here
on Maundy Thursday, authorities said.
Superintendent Rolen Balquin, Cotabato
City police director, said acting on
tips from civilians, military and police bomb experts found a UK Sinsuat Avenue
Balquin said the fragmentation grenade was found at a
roadside between the Al-Nor Convention Center and Cotabato Regional and Medical
Center (CRMC) which was separated by Sinsuat
Avenue
While the police were trying to safely recover the grenade,
members of the bomb disposal team found a suspicious bag across the street.
When checked, it contained a 60mm mortar improvised
explosive device.
"It was really meant to kill or injure people, the IED
has mobile phone as triggering device," he told reporters.
Balquin said explosives could be intended for other
populated areas in the city but its couriers hesitated to push the plot after
they noticed police checkpoints nearby.
He said experts first found the grenade near the exit gate
of Al Nor Convention Center and was safely recovered.
As the members of the bomb disposal team was searching the
vicinity, a bag was found suspiciously abandoned across the street where the
grenade was earlier found, specifically near the concrete wall of CRMC.
He said the presence of soldiers and policemen along
populated areas could have forced the bombers to abandon the explosives.
Balquin said police and military authorities have been
alerted since March 26 as the city observes the Holy Week activities.
No one has claimed responsibility but a bomb expert said the
IED was has the signature of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) or
similar to those recovered by government forces in BIFF camps in Maguinanao.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=750018
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