LUTAYAN, Sultan Kudarat - Security forces seized an improvised bomb during a raid against lawless elements here early Sunday.

The explosive was found at the house of a certain Lasian Manibpel in Sisiman village, said Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion.

Also seized were several rifle grenades, an M16 Rifle, 2 Shotguns, and a bandolier with steel magazines, Cabunoc said.

The troops questioned 30 people who were near the war materials. They were released to village chief Sandiale Mando about an hour after they were interrogated.

The recovered improvised bomb has similar components with explosives that wounded 2 people near a church in Koronadal City last April 29, said Senior Supt. Nestor Salcedo, chief of the South Cotabato police.

“My EOD specialist revealed that the bomb components include nails, electrical wires, and cellphone triggering device. There is a possibility that the bomb-maker is the same as the one who fabricated the recently detonated bombs,” he said.

JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT

Bomb attacks in Koronadal City had prompted government forces to collaborate in fighting the terrorist threat. Civilian tipsters had flooded the hotline number of the security forces with information about the suspects.

In January 2017, tensions ran high when a civilian resident of Lutayan town was killed by suspected members of the MILF who have settled in the outskirts of Sisiman village, Lutayan town.

The local government for years had opposed the presence of MILF members in the village.