Bomb Attack Foiled In North Cotabato

Recovered bombs in Pikit town in North Cotabato province in Mindanao. (Photo by Dante Parrenas)

KIDAPAWAN CITY (Carlos Bautista / 18 Apr) Security forces foiled a planned bomb attack following the discovery of a powerful explosives planted near a convenience store at a busy bus depot in North Cotabato's Pikit town, officials said Tuesday.

Officials said the Kidapawan City Explosive Ordnance Detection Team (EODT) led by Army Sgt. Nestor Atienza disarmed the improvised explosive device after it was recovered late Monday afternoon outside a convenience store inside the bus depot.

The explosive, rigged to a remote control, was placed inside a red plastic bag and left in the store's front door. Civilians who saw the package informed the military about the explosive, officials said.

"Two 60-mm mortar bombs were attached to a remote control device and were powerful enough to inflict heavy casualties at the bus depot," Atienza told the Zamboanga Journal.

Authorities have stepped up security in Pikit town. Col. Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade, said no group claimed responsibility for the foiled attack.

But the province was previously attacked by the Abu Sayyaf group tied to al-Qaeda terror network and the communist New People's Army rebels.

"We are working closely with the police to identify and track down whoever planted the bomb," Pabustan said.