Military Operation Foiled Suspected Ramadan Bombings, Killed 5 Alleged Militants

The government forces have foiled planned bomb attacks during Ramadan in the southern part of the country, the military said Monday.

A military operation, that also resulted in the death of five alleged militants on March 21, was carried out in a suspected hideout of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI), a local name for the Islamic State extremist group, BenarNews reported.

Armed Forces conducted an air strike that killed the suspected militants, effectively preventing the supposed bombings in Mindanao, whose population is largely Muslim.

The military said eight improvised bombs were seized by the 6th Infantry Division during the operation in Pagalungan town in Maguindanao province.

"We have prevented their planned bombings targeting innocent civilians, (attempt to) create fear and sabotage peace during Ramadan," Col. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 602nd Brigade, said, according to BenarNews.

Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato, a spokesperson for the 6th Infantry Division, said the military used an A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft to fire rockets at the suspected enemy encampment. Ground troops also fought a one-hour gun battle with the extremists, which led to the death of the militants.

Almorato also said the troops recovered the improvised bombs at the camp "which were ready to be planted and detonated."

The bombing attacks were foiled, following a tip-off from two informants, who said the DI members were planning to detonate the Improvised Explosive Devices at populated areas in Maguindanao and Cotabato at the start of the Ramadan on March 22.

Aside from the improvised bombs, a .45-caliber pistol and Garand rifle ammunition were also found at the extremist group's camp, Almorato said, BenarNews reported.

Gumiran said the military ceased its operations after making sure that the planned bomb attacks had been stopped.

The DI is a faction of militants from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In 2019, about 1,060 former MILF combatants were decommissioned, and their firearms were surrendered to the government following a peace deal signed in 2014. Under the peace deal, the MILF agreed to pursue their political goals through a democratic process.

In 2021, the military hailed the support of the MILF in facilitating the surrender of two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan province.