IED blast kills farmer

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato — A farmer in Maguindanao del Sur met a tragic end after an improvised explosive device exploded which instantly killed him while five members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were injured in a separate explosion at their detachment in Aleosan, North Cotabato.

The farmer was identified as Tatuna Pigi, a farmer-resident of Barangay Pandi in Datu Salibo town.

Capt. Ramillo Serame, municipal police station chief, said the victim was on his way to the rice field when an improvised explosive device blasted him to death.

"Our police investigators are determining if the IED was owned by the victim or was planted and set off by a still unknown group," Serame said.

Over at Aleosan, the victims of the IED explosion in their detachment were identified as Abdul Baser Mamintal, Nor Minandang, Moslimen Diya Usop, Hasan Kalano and Ronald Arellano. 

Reports disclosed that the have just returned home from a "rido" (family feud) settlement with their counterparts at the MILF 105th base command in the same town when the blast occurred at the entrance of the 118th base command in Barangay Bagolibas.

According to Aleosan Police chief Capt. Jennefer Amotan, the two commands have been at odds over territorial disputes in the village.

Meanwhile, police and Army operatives arrested on Thursday afternoon eight men belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front who are linked to the killing of a village councilor and a watchman in Barangay Kudarangan, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Lt. Col. John Miridel Calinga, Midsayap town police chief, said the suspects were identified by witnesses as those behind the killing of village councilor Tho Puyo Singh, 73, and watchman Bayao Mohamad Uka, 58, before dawn on Thursday