At least seven Marine troopers, including a middle-grade officer who fought for the liberation of Marawi City and a policeman, were wounded in three roadside blasts that took place at the outskirts of Maguindanao late Friday night until early dawn Saturday.
Capt. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said the marine troopers belonging to the 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) were traveling along the highway in Barangay Mirab in North Upi when the incident occurred.
Initial reports identified the wounded as Major Romulo Ducay, Corporals Arnel Jiun, Oliver Albo and Ryan Cabual, Private First Class Johnny Panday and Gerwin Perez.
Encinas said the marine soldiers were reinforcing the beleaguered policemen of the 1st Maneuver Platoon of the Provincial Public Safety Company in Maguindanao who were attacked by an armed group.
The attack resulted in a firefight between the policemen and the armed group. A policeman was wounded in the gunfight.
Ten minutes later while the fighting was going on, an explosion was heard in Nuro Bridge in Barangay Nuro.
Encinas said the marines immediately responded to the site of the encounter but the armed group had already retreated.
The armed group apparently left a roadside bomb, which hit the Marines as they were about to return to their headquarters.
“The Marines did not encounter the armed group. They were on their way back to their headquarters when they encountered the roadside blast,” Encinas said.
The wounded marines were rushed to the Army’s Camp Siongco Hospital in Datu Odin Sinsuat for treatment.
Encinas said they could not provide details as to the affiliation of the attackers, but suspected that they were either members of the New People’s Army or the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Sr. Supt. Agustin Tello, police director of Maguindanao, said they are investigating the incident in coordination with local officials in North Upi who could help identify the attackers.