Blast rocks Midsayap's outskirt village
MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato – A
loud explosion believed to be from improvised explosive device (IED) rockedan
outskirt village here Tuesday night, authorities said.
Nobody was hurt when the
blast occurred at past 10:30 p.m. in Purok Mirasol, Barangay Polomoguen,
Midsayap, North Cotabato, according to Army Capt. Melvin Macatangay.
Macatangay, spokesperson of
the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said nobody was reported injured since the
blast site was isolated and often frequented by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
It happened near the house
of a certain Rogelio Aloro, he added.
Police and Army bomb experts
found a damaged gallon believed to have contained explosive powders, cut nails
and electrical wiring at the blast site.
Authorities are still
determining where the IED come from and to where it was likely to be set
off. Security officials said it could
have exploded prematurely or intentionally set off by its couriers due to tight
security in Midsayap’s periphery.
Midsayap is in the thick of
preparation for the famous Halad” Festival in celebration of the feast of Sto.
Nino on Sunday.
Tighter security was immediately imposed amid intelligence information that lawless elements are out to disrupt the town's peace and order situation.More augmentation troops were deployed around town following the incident.