TROOPS have recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) near a patrol based in the province of Maguindanao, officials said Friday, September 20.
Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, said the IED was recovered around 7 a.m. Thursday, September 19, while the soldiers from the Army's 38th Infantry Battalion were scouring the riverside near Butalo Patrol Base in the village of Sambulawan, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.
Encinas said the IED was brought to the headquarters of the Army's 38th Infantry Battalion in the village of Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town for proper disposal.
Major General Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander, attributed the recovery to the diligence and vigilance of the troops.
"I commend our troops for their prompt actions that forestalled another bomb attempt of terrorists in the area," Carreon said.
"We take preemptive and decisive actions to counter attacks employed by terrorists to inflict casualties on civilian and military objects. These preventive measures are complemented by the sustained cooperation of communities and the deliberate and mounting counter-operations and intelligence buildup of our forces in terrorist-infested areas," said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief. (SunStar Philippines)