COTABATO CITY – Armed men blasted a bridge in Datu Piang, Maguindanao with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division reported.
The bridge was slightly damaged, prompting authorities to close it to heavy vehicles.
Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army Division, said the bomb was planted by a certain Abu Samaya, Montasser Esmael and his two companions.
The bridge is located in Barangay Magaslong in Datu Piang, one of four towns that have seen fierce fighting between soldiers and suspected militants from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Hermoso said.
Last month, another bridge in Datu Piang town was blasted and the military said the BIFF was behind the attack.
BIFF spokesman Abu Misri Mama denied the report, saying “Tagalog-speaking” individuals he suspected as soldiers blasted the bridge.
MOH I. SAADUDDIN