Incident Summary:

02/16/2016: A roadside bomb detonated targeting the vehicle of Norodin Macabangen, a municipal treasurer, in Salbu village, Datu-Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao province, Philippines. Macabangen and three others were killed and two people were injured in the blast. No group claimed responsibility; however, sources attributed the attack to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), which denied involvement.

GTD ID:
201602160012

When:
2016-02-16

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Maguindanao

City:
Salbu

Location Details:
The incident occurred in Datu Saudi-Ampatuan town.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Datu Salibo
Specific Description Vehicle of Treasurer: Caloy Macabangen
Nationality of Target Philippines
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Remote Trigger
Weapon Details
An explosive device constructed from a 81-mm mortar and triggered by a mobile phone was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information The victims included Kenken Macabangen, Alex Apas and Bensar Agapay. Casualty numbers for this incident conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the majority reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 4 Fatalities / 2 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 4
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 2
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Philippine Army Blames Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters for Series of Bomb Attacks in Maguindanao," MindaNews, February 18, 2016.
"Roadside bomb kills six in Philippines," Brisbane Courier-Mail, February 17, 2016.
"4 killed as 'BIFF' bomb explodes in van in Maguindanao - Army," Philippines Daily Inquirer, February 17, 2016.