Three mortar rounds exploded near a public school in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday just as a medical mission was being held there, sending residents running for cover, the military said.
Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana said the 60 mm mortar rounds exploded 200 meters from the Tanum Elementary School, where a medical mission facilitated by the 6th Special Forces Battalion was ongoing. No one was hurt, he added.
The explosions were believed to be initiated by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group to discourage residents from participating in the event.
The mortars were estimated to have been fired 500 meters away from the school, Besana said in a statement.
“We strongly condemn this terroristic act resulting [in] the disruption of basic services delivery to the people,” said Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega.
The explosions happened two weeks after a gunfight in Patikul left five soldiers and three Abu Sayyaf bandits dead.
This happened after the military launched an operation to arrest Hajan Sawadjaan, an Abu Sayyaf leader believed to be involved in the twin bombings at the Jolo Cathedral during a mass on Jan. 27, where 22 were killed and more than 100 were hurt.