By FROILAN GALLARDO of Mindanews ARMY soldiers and policemen intercepted a van with explosives allegedly intended by the Maute terror group for an attack in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan or a military camp in Marawi. Maj. Felimon Tan, spokesperson of the Armed Forces Western Command, said soldiers arrested eight people, including three women, who were riding the Tamaraw FX van in Barangay Nanagun, Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur on Monday afternoon. Tan said the troops found an improvised explosive device made of an 81-mm mortar attached to two other pipe bombs, and triggering devices inside the Tamaraw vehicle. The military identified those arrested as Hashim Balawag Maute, Abdul Jabbar Tominaman Macabading, Jamil Batoa Amerul, Muhammad Sianodin Mulok and Omar Khalil. The women passengers were identified as Hafidah Romato Maute, Nasifa Pandug  and Norhanna Balawag Maute. Tan said the group was on the way to Marawi City from Butig town in Lanao del Sur when troops, acting on an intelligence report, blocked them at the checkpoint in Barangay Nanagun. “The fast reaction of troops and the information of concerned citizens was the key for thwarting a terror attack intended to kill innocent people in populated target areas. IEDs do not select its victims, children, Christians or Muslims, young and old. Lahat papatayin niyan and in a wide scale kaya napakalaking bagay na hindi natuloy ito dahil na din sa cooperation ng taong bayan at responde ng sundalo at pulis,” Tan said in a statement. Tan said the military believed the suspects intended to target Cagayan de Oro which is celebrating its fiesta on Aug. 28 or Iligan or the camp of Army 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi City. The Maute group composed of former rebels have pleged allegiance to the Isis banner and is responsible for several attacks against Army detachments in Lanao del Sur. The group beheaded two lumberyard workers who they kidnapped and taken captives when ransom they demanded was not paid in Butig town, Lanao del Sur in April 2016.