FOUR soldiers were injured in a grenade explosion at an Army detachment in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur last Saturday night, the military said yesterday.
Members of the terrorist groups Daulah Islamiyah and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are being eyed as behind the attack, said Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID).
Orbon said the grenade was lobbed at the Madia Detachment, located in Barangay Madia in Datu Saudi Ampatuan at around 7:30 p.m., injuring four of the soldiers from the 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
Orbon said the injured troops are still “under observation” at a hospital.
Orbon said the suspects, believed to be numbering two to three men, fled after the attack.
Orbon said they believe the perpetrators are from the Daulah Islamiya (DI) or the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), two of the terrorist groups operating in Central Mindanao.
“Most likely they are behind the attack,” said Orbon, adding these groups were probably retaliating at the military for causing the surrender of five DI and 16 BIFF members recently.
“They are getting hurt, they are losing men, and they are making their presence felt,” said Orbon, referring to the terrorist groups.
Orbon said they believe the suspects fled to the Liguasan Marsh, which straddles several Maguindanao towns.
“We already have leads. Our pursuit operations are ongoing,” said Orbon.
Orbon condemned the attack, which occurred during the observance of Ramadan, the Muslims’ month-long religious period.
“This kind of violence has no place in a society striving for understanding and peace,” said Orbon.
Orbon said the 6th ID remains committed in its efforts to ensure peace and order, especially during the Ramadan period.
“We are urging the public to remain calm and vigilant,” said Orbon.
He also urged people to come forward if they had information that could help in the ongoing investigation or could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
