By AARON RECUENCO
Seven government personnel, including a ranking marine officer as with a policeman, were injured in two separate bomb explosions detonated hours apart on Friday and Saturday in Upi in Maguindanao.
A police report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City stated the first attack occurred at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday in front of a police detachment in Barangay Nuro.
Hurt in the blast was PO2 Esmael Alabatwho was manning a sentry along the road.
Almost two hours later, an improvised explosive device also exploded in Barangay Mirab also in Upi town.
A group of soldiers conducting reconnaissance patrol in the area, identified as Maj. Romulo Ducay; Corporals Ryan Cabual, Arnel Jun, Oliver Albo, Alvin Sangadan; Private First Class Johnny Panday and Gerwin Perez, were all injured in the blast.
The soldiers are members of the 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 who were deployed in Maguindanao specifically to run after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Authorities believe the twin attacks were carried out by the BIFF.
All the victims are now undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals.