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FOUR army soldiers were seriously injured after a grenade explosion ripped through their detachment in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on Sunday, the military said.
Local terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (DI-BIFF) were being eyed behind the grenade attack, said Lt. Col. Rosen Orbon, spokesman of the Army's 6th Infantry Division.
The injured soldiers were initially identified as Cpl. Awing, SSG Cordero, PFC Gundayao and PFC Felix,all assigned to the 62nd Mechanize Company.
Reports said two unidentified suspects on board a yellow Honda XRM motorcycle were behind the attack at the Madia Detachment in Barangay Madia in Datu Saudi Ampatuan at around 7:30 p.m., hitting four of the soldiers from the 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
He said the injured troops are still "under observation" at a hospital.
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Orbon said the perpetrators could be members of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI) or the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), two of the terrorist groups operating in Central Mindanao.
"Most likely they are behind the attack," said Orbon, adding these groups were probably retaliating at the military for causing the surrender of five DI and 16 BIFF members recently.
"They are getting hurt, they are losing men, and they are making their presence felt," said Orbon, referring to the terrorist groups.
Orbon said they believe the suspects fled to Liguasan Marsh which is straddling several Maguindanao towns.
"We already have leads. Our pursuit operations are ongoing," he said.
Orbon condemned the attack which occurred during the observance of Ramadan, the Muslims' revered month-long religious period.
"This kind of violence has no place in a society striving for understanding and peace," said Orbon.
