TWO separate explosions rocked Maguindanao province, wounding three policemen as security forces pursued Islamic State-inspired extremists.
The first explosion took place along the national highway in Mamasapano leading to the provincial police office, hitting three policemen.
Police Director Reuben Sindac, chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao identified the victims as PO3 Harim Ampatuan, PO3 Ali Malok and PO1 Norudin Olympain, all assigned with the Radjah Buayan Municipal Police Station.
Sindac said the three policemen were on board a Mahindra patrol jeep on their way to the police provincial headquarters in Maguindanao Police office to attend a conference.
They were crossing Sitio Paso, Brgy. Manongkaling when an improvised explosive device along their path went off at 10:15 a.m.
The victims sustained shrapnel wounds and were taken to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital for treatment.
Sindac said police were still investigating to determine who planted the bombs.
At a nearby town in Shariff Aguak, a bomb was detonated after troops encountered members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Brgy. Bagong Upam at 7:35 a.m.
Reports said troops from the 57th Infantry battalion and the 21st Mechanized Company encountered the BIFF fighters while they were on clearing operations in Upam village.
After a brief clash ensued, the bomb went off, but no soldiers were hurt.