2 bombs found, defused on Sultan Kudarat highway

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Two improvised bombs possibly meant to disrupt the commemoration of the third anniversary of the infamous Maguindanao massacre were defused Friday morning on a national highway in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province.   The two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found inside the baggage compartment of an abandoned motorcycle, according to Superintendent Roel Sermese, the Isulan police chief. A bystander reported the abandoned motorcycle to the police.   “Immediately, we sought assistance from the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal team from Sultan Kudarat province,” Sermese said, adding the explosives team used water disruptors to defuse the bombs.   One of the IEDs was fashioned from an 81mm mortar while the other was from a 60mm mortar, Sermese added.   Investigators are studying the possibility that the bombs were planted to disrupt the commemoration of the Maguindanao massacre.   A total of 57 people were killed while another one was still missing when a Sultan Kudarat-bound convoy was gunned down by armed men associated with the powerful Ampatuan clan on November 23, 2009. Among those killed were relatives of then gubernatorial candidate Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and over 30 journalists.   In 2011, when Mangudadatu, the incumbent Maguindanao governor, visited the site to commemorate the carnage, two IEDs planted along the highway and just a few kilometers away from the area were recovered and defused by bomb experts.       Despite the recovery of IEDs, media and other support groups would continue the mock funeral they earlier planned as their way of commemorating the grisly murders.   At 3 p.m., Friday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Kidapawan City will hold a mock funeral from the plaza to the DXND grounds where they will hold candle lighting ceremony and a simple program.   The NUJP said three coffins made of cardboards would be paraded along the national highway as symbol of the media and other groups of their continuing quest for justice.   With NUJP in the commemoration of the third anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre are members of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, National Union Students of the Philippines, Gabriela-North Cotabato, Kabataan party-list, Justice for Pops Movement (JPM), and support groups from private institutions.    “We will never forget this day,” said Gabriela Cotabato coordinator Ruby Padilla-Sison. “If during our time, justice would still be elusive, then the next generation should continue the fight, that’s why we’re joined by the youth in our activity.” — KBK, GMA News