Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesperson, said the bandits bombed the bridge in Barangay Pangdanon, Patikul town because they “see good infrastructure projects as high speed avenues for security forces.”
Cabangbang said the bridge has become impassable to all types of vehicles after it was bombed past 10pm on Saturday.
He said that aside from disrupting the local economy and the movement of people the Abu Sayyaf also wanted to paralyze the movement of troops in the province.
Patikul reportedly serves as the turf of one-armed Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, who is said to be the oldest among the remaining bandit leaders.[]
“Lawless elements in the area view bridges and roads as high speed avenues for security forces, instead of instruments from development,” Cabangbang said.[]
