SENATOR LEILA M. De Lima on Monday raised concerns over the reported surge of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) being used by insurgent groups in Mindanao amid the implementation of martial law. Citing local media reports, the senator said the number of attempted IED attacks almost doubled to 19 during the first three months of 2018 compared with 10 in the last quarter of 2017. Most of these IEDs planted reportedly detonated, which caused deaths and injuries. “The presence of foreign fighters who are training their local recruits in bomb-making is a serious cause of alarm, and unless it is stopped, it might result to further terrorist violence to spread across Mindanao. Our government should not ignore this concern,” she said in a statement. — Camille A. Aguinaldo
