4 soldiers injured in grenade explosion

Four soldiers sustained injuries from a grenade explosion in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, on Saturday evening.

According to a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Roden Orbon, the spokesperson for the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, an unknown individual, suspected to be linked to a local militant group, threw the grenade at soldiers stationed at the Madia Detachment in Barangay Madia around 7:30 p.m. that day.

The wounded soldiers, assigned to the 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, were quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and are currently under observation.

The Army is actively coordinating with local law enforcement in an effort to identify and apprehend the attackers.

“We have obtained some leads, and pursuit operations are currently underway,” Orbon said, confirming that the soldiers’ injuries were not life-threatening.

There were no civilian casualties reported in the incident.

The Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) revealed that one of the suspects fled the scene on a yellow motorcycle that was not registered with a license plate.

Orbon clarified that the explosion took place near the intersection of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona.

“The assailants might have escaped towards Liguasan Marsh, Datu Piang, or Datu Saudi Ampatuan and could also have gone to Mamasapano. There are numerous exit points,” he explained.

Orbon also speculated that the grenade attack could be a retaliatory act by local insurgents frustrated over recent developments. He pointed out that several members of these groups had surrendered in recent weeks, many of them handing over their firearms.

"Recently, many of their members have laid down their arms and rejoined the government," Orbon said, adding that a total of 21 insurgents had surrendered.

He concluded by urging the public to remain calm and vigilant, calling on anyone with relevant information to report it to authorities.

“We encourage everyone to stay alert and inform us or the authorities if you have any information that could assist in the investigation or help locate the perpetrators,” Orbon added.