4 soldiers hurt in Maguindanao del Sur grenade attack

Four soldiers were wounded in a grenade explosion in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Saturday evening.

In a statement Sunday, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Roden Orbon said an unidentified suspecy believed to be a member of a local armed group lobbed a grenade at soldiers belonging to its Madia Detachment in Barangay Madia at around 7:30 p.m.

The soldiers, who are assigned to the 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, were immediately rushed to a hospital where they are under medical observation.

The Army is coordinating with local authorities in attempts to identify the assailants.

“May leads naman po tayo. Ongoing ang pursuit operations,” Orbon said.

(We have leads. Pursuit operations are ongoing.)

He added there were no civilian casualties.

The Police Regional Office Bangasmoro Autonomous Region Public Information Office reported one suspect boarded a yellow motorcycle without a plate number and fled after the incident.

Orbon said the incident occurred near the crossing of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan), Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona.

“Yung mga salarin ay maaaring tumakas papunta sa Liguasan Marsh, Datu Piang, or sa DSA/Salvo, at pwede  rin sa Mamasapano. Marami pwede exit,” he added.

(The suspects could have fled to Liguasan Marsh, Datu Piang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan or Barangay Salbu. They may also have gone to Mamasapano. There are a lot of possible exits.)

According to the Army official, the grenade attack could be a “retaliation out of frustration” by remaining local terrorist groups.

“Kamakailan lang ay sunod-sunod po kasi ang pagbalik-loob ng mga miyembro nila, dala pa ang kani-kanilang mga firearms,” Orbon said, noting that 21 insurgents have recently surrendered.

(Recently, their members have been surrendering, even bringing their firearms.)

“Hinihikayat namin ang publiko na manatiling kalmado at maging mapagmatyag. Ipaalam po sa amin o sa mga otoridad kung may impormasyon kayo na makakatulong sa imbestigasyon at sa ikatutunton ng mga salarin, he added.

(We urge the public to remain calm and observant. Please report to authorities any information that may help with the investigation and pinpoint the suspects.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News