2 Suspected 'BIFF bombers' Died while Transporting Bomb Accidentally Explodes

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Two suspected carriers of a homemade bomb were reportedly killed last night when the explosive device they were transporting  accidentally exploded in Pikit town.

Reports from the North Cotabato police said a loud explosion took place around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday along the provincial road in Poblacion Pikit, said MindaNews website.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the two men were riding a motorcycle and carrying a box that exploded along Quezon Street in Pikit’s poblacion.
“By all indications, the two men were to bring the improvised explosive device somewhere,” said Petinglay.

Photo courtesy by MindaNews

The suspected bombers were later identified as Jomar Palaguyan, 27 nd Asraap Mohamad, 28, both residents of Barangay Balatikan.

Major Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Army’s 6th division said the slain persons were both riding a black motorcycle when the Improvised Explosive Device they were carrying exploded.
Pikit is the gateway to the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta, a known haven of extortion gang members identified with the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

It is not clear where the bomb’s intended destination was but the explosion site is near a convenience store.

Last week, a bomb also exploded in the same area but no one was hurt. This was followed by another explosion at the base of a steel electric post, causing a provincial wide blackout.

Authorities  earlier pointed to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as the perpetrators but the group denied they were behind the bombings

Source : Ferdinandh B. Cabrera (MindaNews) / Philstar