Security forces alerted in Mindanao

Army soldiers and policemen man a check point near Esteros Bridge in Cotabato City and Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province Thursday, July 09, 2009. Four people were killed and dozens injured in a recent bomb attack outside a Catholic church in Cotabato City. Authorities blame the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya and Moro rebels for the blast. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 9, 2009) - Philippine security forces were alerted Thursday for more terror attacks in the troubled region of Mindanao following the spate of bombings that killed at least 6 people and wounded dozens more.

Soldiers and policemen were deployed in many areas in the Muslim autonomous region and other parts of Mindanao to thwart possible attacks by terrorists.

Cotabato and Iligan cities were bombed this week and authorities blamed Moro rebels and the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya for the attacks.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels denied any involvement in the series of bomb attacks in the troubled South and called for an independent investigation into the blasts.

The MILF blamed the military for the attacks, saying, it was part of a government plot to justify the possible declaration of a state of emergency by President Gloria Arroyo.

In Manila, Army Major General Jogy Fojas said they have received reports that MILF rebels, the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya are in the Philippine capital and were planning to carry out bombings in civilian areas and military camps.

Fojas' statement was denied by the Philippine police and militant groups branded the report as a prelude to more attacks by soldiers and blamed them to the rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)