Bomb blast hits 2 buses in Sultan Kudarat; at least 6 hurt

At least six people were injured when a bomb exploded and hit two passenger buses in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, late Saturday afternoon, police and military officials said.

Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police director, said the explosion occurred at the “roundball,” or rotunda, in Brgy. Kalawag 2, around 5:45 p.m.

The explosion hit a Husky bus (UWI-541) driven by Nelson Pallado and a Yellow Bus Line unit (MVV-325) driven by Robinson Salatutan, Balquin said in a text message.

The blast injured Salatutan and his 23-year-old conductor Emil Sangki, as well as passengers Hilmor Hapinat, 36; Jonathan Delfin, 23; Kevin Dolfo, 19; and Rachel Catequista, 27, Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said in a separate message.

Initial investigation by the Army’s Explosives and Ordnance Disposal team indicated that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device made of ammonium nitrate, fuel, and oil, and had nails for shrapnel, Asto said.

Flames engulfed the Husky bus, which was traveling from Cotabato City to Tacurong City, and had to be put out by firefighters, Balquin said. (John Roson)

- end -

Quezon brgy. treasurer, lover hurt in bedside blast

A barangay treasurer in San Francisco, Quezon, lost her legs while her live-in partner was also injured when a suspected grenade went off beside their bed, police reported Wednesday.

Miriam De Villa, 33, treasurer of Brgy. Poblacion, and Ernesto Genovaña, 31, were rushed by relatives to a nearby hospital and were later transferred to Lucena City, PO2 Bernard Buñag, investigator at the San Francisco Police, said.

De Villa’s legs were both mutilated while her live-in partner suffered injuries in both feet, Buñag said in his report.

According to Buñag, a certain Donna Rocas called police past 11 p.m. Monday to report the explosion in Purok 3, Brgy. Poblacion.

Members of the San Francisco Police went to the area and found De Villa and Genovaña already being transported by their relatives.

The victims were said to be sleeping when the explosion occurred, Buñag said.

Around 10 a.m. Tuesday, a safety pin believed to be that of the grenade was found at the headboard of the victims’ bed, he said.

Police have asked Anthony Ronnie Arbon, Lenelyn Lamo, and Nick Nabora to explain why the victims mentioned their names after the explosion.

Arbon and Lamo denied any knowledge of the incident while Nabora failed to appear at the police station, Buñag said.

Police are still conducting a follow-up investigation to identify those responsible for the blast. (John Roson)

- end -

2 killed, 5 hurt in Maguindanao blasts

(Update) Two improvised explosive devices (IED) went off in Maguindanao on Monday morning, killing two people and injuring at least five others, police and military officials said.

A “cellphone-triggered” IED went off in Sitio Layning, Brgy. Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, around 8:23 a.m., Senior Supt. Jaime Pido, Maguindanao Provincial Police director, said in a phone interview.

“Motorcycles usually pass by that area,” Pido said, adding the bomb was made of an 81-millimeter mortar ammunition and appeared “similar” to other IEDs that went off in the province in the past.

Minutes later, around 9 a.m., another bomb went off in the neighboring village of Brgy. Iginagampong, Datu Unsay, injuring six people, Pido said.

“Dalawa daw ‘yung namatay dun sa anim na wounded, yun ang sinabi sa akin ng chief of police ko dun sa Datu Unsay” Pido said when contacted Monday evening.

“Ayaw lang daw magbigay ng pangalan nung mga tao dun… pagkaputok, kinuha agad, dinala (‘yung mga bangkay),” he said.

The police official, however, confirmed that both fatalities were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said one Basit Abas alias Basco, a member of the BIFF, was hit by shrapnel on the face in the blast in Brgy. Salvo.

Abas, along with other BIFF members under Mohaiden Animbang alias Karialan were passing through the area on motorcycles when the bomb exploded.

Animbang and his men were on the way to attend a “kanduli” or thanksgiving event hosted by a certain Tong in Brgy. Iginagampong, Asto said.

The explosion prompted the BIFF members to fired their guns at different directions for two minutes before they resumed their travel, he said.

However, as the group was nearing the “kanduli” venue in Sitio Kalot, Brgy. Iginagampong, another IED made of an 81-millimeter mortar exploded.

Karialan and five followers of a certain Tambako were hit in the second explosion, Asto said.

Meanwhile, Pido said the thanksgiving event in Brgy. Iginagampong is different from another “kanduli” that Mayor Zahara Ampatuan of neighboring Shariff Aguak was set to hold in her town on Tuesday. (John Roson)

- end -

Blasts rock Maguindanao, 6 hurt

(Update) Two improvised explosive devices (IED) went off in Maguindanao on Monday morning, injuring at least seven people, police and military officials said.

A “cellphone-triggered” IED went off in Sitio Layning, Brgy. Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, around 8:23 a.m., Senior Supt. Jaime Pido, Maguindanao Provincial Police director, said in a phone interview.

“Motorcycles usually pass by that area,” Pido said, adding the bomb was made of an 81-millimeter mortar ammunition and appeared “similar” to other IEDs that went off in the province in the past.

Minutes later, around 9 a.m., another bomb went off in the neighboring village of Brgy. Iginagampong, Datu Unsay, injuring six people, Pido said.

Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said one Basit Abas alias Basco, a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), was hit by shrapnel on the face in the blast in Brgy. Salvo.

Abas, along with other BIFF members under Mohaiden Animbang alias commander Karialan were passing through the area on motorcycles when the bomb exploded.

Animbang and his men were on the way to attend a “kanduli” or thanksgiving event hosted by a certain Tong in Brgy. Iginagampong, Asto said.

The explosion prompted the BIFF members to fired their guns at different directions for two minutes before they resumed their travel, he said.

However, as the group was nearing the “kanduli” venue in Sitio Kalot, Brgy. Iginagampong, another IED made of an 81-millimeter mortar exploded.

Karialan and five followers of a certain Tambako were hurt in the second explosion, Asto said.

Meanwhile, Pido said the thanksgiving event in Brgy. Iginagampong is different from another “kanduli” that Mayor Zahara Ampatuan of neighboring Shariff Aguak was set to hold in her town on Tuesday. (John Roson)

- end –

Cops hunt down bomb-rigged motorbike’s owner

Police are now tracking down the owner of the bomb-laden motorcycle that was found at a Sultan Kudarat rotunda leading to Maguindanao on Friday.

Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police director, said the motorcycle was found to be registered to a certain Cristobal Campungan, a resident of Quezon blvd. in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

“We have already asked the provincial director of North Cotabato to help locate the owner of this motorcycle and invite him for questioning, why his motorcycle was used, at bakit isang taon nang expired ang rehistro,” Balquin said in a phone interview.

The motorcycle was found at the rotunda in Isulan on Friday, the third anniversary of the massacre in neighboring Maguindanao.

Two sets of bombs – one with two 60-millimeter mortar ammunition and another with two 81-millimeter mortar ammunition – were found hidden under the vehicle’s seat.

Police and military personnel, who responded to a tip form a “concerned citizen,” found the bombs already smoking when they arrived at the scene, but still managed to defuse these.

“‘Yung dalawang IED (improvised explosive device) na ‘yun pagka sumabog will create tremendous damage, injuries kung hindi man, o baka marami ang mamamatay,” Balquin said in an earlier interview.

Balquin said they have yet to determine if the bombs were intended for those who attended the massacre’s commemoration, including Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto’ Mangudadatu who “usually” passes by the rotunda. (John Roson)

- end -

Bomb-rigged motorcycle placed on road to Maguindanao

Authorities in Sultan Kudarat defused two powerful bombs rigged into a motorcycle that was left at a rotunda leading to Maguindanao on Friday, the third anniversary of the infamous massacre in the neighboring province.

Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police director, said one of the bombs had two 60-millimeter mortar ammunition while the other had two 81-millimeter rounds.

“When our EOD (explosives and ordnance disposal) team arrived, umuusok na ‘yung cord, fortunately ‘yung blasting cap na mag-iignite sana para mag-create ng explosion ay hindi pumutok,” Balquin said in a phone interview.

The bombs, which have a cellphone as triggering device, were placed under the seat of the motorcycle left at the rotunda in Isulan, he said.

“‘Yung dalawang IED (improvised explosive device) na ‘yun pagka sumabog will create tremendous damage, injuries kung hindi man, o baka marami ang mamamatay,” Balquin said.

A “concerned citizen” called the Isulan Police around 8:20 a.m. and reported seeing the motorcycle at one of the rotunda’s exits – the one leading to Maguindanao.

Members of the Isulan Police, along with soldiers, arrived around 8:30 a.m., cordoned the area, and were able to defuse the bombs around 9 a.m.

Balquin said they have yet to determine if the bombs were intended for those who attended the massacre’s commemoration, including Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu who “usually” passes by the rotunda.

Mangudadatu’s wife, relatives, supporters, and more than 30 media personnel were killed in the massacre in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23, 2009. (John Roson)

- end -

Blast rocks Sultan Kudarat

A suspected improvised explosive device went off along the National Highway in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, early Thursday but no one was reported injured, the military said.

The explosion occurred in front of the Land Bank branch in Brgy. Poblacion around 7:15 a.m., Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said.

Soldiers were immediately sent to secure the area while investigators are still trying to determine what type of explosive went off, he said.

On August 15, 2011, an improvised explosive made of a 105-millimeter Howitzer cannon ammunition went off near the Land Bank branch in Tacurong, hitting the passing convoy of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and some civilians.

The incident killed Maguindanao Provincial Board Member Rusman Sinsuat Sr. and civilian Raffy Parenas. Sinsuat’s son Rusman Jr. lost his right leg while at least five others were also injured. (John Roson)

- end -

2 killed, 2 hurt as bomb explodes at hotel in Cagayan de Oro City

Two people were killed while two policemen were wounded when a bomb exploded at a hotel in Cagayan de Oro City early Thursday, police said.

A few hours later, a second bomb was found in the city. Another exploded in front of a commercial compound in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay, Wednesday night, injuring a teenaged boy.

Senior Supt. Gerardo Rosales, Cagayan de Oro City Police director, identified the fatalities as Rudy Jote, an employee of the Willshire Inn, and a certain “Toto,” a passenger vehicle dispatcher.

PO1 Rogelio Canilanza and PO1 Dexter Daño were brought to the Polymedic Hospital because of shrapnel wounds to the legs and back, Rosales said.

The explosion occurred shortly before 2 a.m. beside the Maxandria Hotel at the corner of J.R. Borja st. and Aguinaldo st.

Around 1:50 a.m., a desk officer of the hotel called the local police, seeking assistance for what appeared to be a bomb left by three unidentified persons, Rosales said.

Canilanza, Daño, and some other policemen went to the scene, but the bomb exploded while they were conducting a “visual investigation,” the city police chief said.

2nd bomb found

Chief Supt. Gil Hitosis, Northern Mindanao regional police director, said another improvised explosive device (IED) was found under a pick-up in the city around 7:30 a.m.

The second explosive, which was apparently made by the same group that bombed the hotel, was disrupted by policemen, he said.

All police units in Northern Mindanao have been placed under “full alert” and directed to increase visibility on the streets and conduct checkpoints to prevent the proliferation of bombs and firearms, Hitosis said.

Boy hurt in Zambo blast

Meanwhile, another bomb exploded at the commercial complex in Brgy. Poblacion, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay, around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, injuring 14-year-old Alraffy Barabadan Bano.

An improvised explosive device went off in front of the M&M Alrafhi garments shop owned by Merpha Barabadan Bano, a relative of the victim, Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said.

Local police are still trying to determine the bombers’ identities and motive, he said.

Peace deal detractors behind blasts?

Hitosis, whose office supervises the Cagayan de Oro City Police, said he is not discounting the possibility that the explosions were carried out by groups who oppose the recently signed “framework agreement” between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“Tinitingnan namin dyan ay ‘yung link ng explosion sa nearby areas namin… Alam mo naman na ‘yung govt natin ay may ongoing peace deal sa isang grupo at ‘yung isa namang grupo ay parang disgruntled. Bukod pa dun ‘yung isa pang grupo na mukhang ayaw din,” Hitosis told reporters in a phone interview.

The Moro National Liberation Front, who had signed a peace agreement with the government in Sept. 1996, warned that the accord with the MILF violates theirs and could result into unrest.

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which broke away from the MILF, had also voiced opposition to the framework agreement.

Hitosis, however, noted that there was still no strong evidence linking the blasts to the peace deal. (John Roson)

- end -

37 hurt as grenade explodes at circus audience in Davao City

Thirty-seven people were injured when a grenade exploded at a basketball court in Davao City while a circus show was being held Saturday night, police said.

The victims, whose names have yet to be listed, were all taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for treatment, Davao City Police director Senior Supt. Ronald dela Rosa said.

The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. inside the covered court of Brgy. Fatima in Paquibato district.

A circus show was held at the court as part of celebrations for the barangay’s fiesta on September 13, Dela Rosa said in a text message.

An unidentified person threw the grenade at an Army detachment beside the court, but the explosive bounced on the net barrier and went off at the circus audience, Dela Rosa said.

Investigators of Davao City Police Station 7, which has jurisdiction over the area, are still trying to determine the grenade thrower’s motive and identity, he said. (John Roson)

- end -

Cop, 2 civilians hurt in Maguindanao roadside bombing

A police officer and two civilians were injured when a bomb explosion hit two vehicles near the Maguindanao provincial police headquarters in Shariff Aguak town early Wednesday, a police official said.

Insp. Marxdeo Aperocho, of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), and civilians Said Akmad Minas and Sheiyd Balabadan were taken to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital due to injuries on the different parts of the body, provincial police director Senior Supt. Marcelo Pintac said.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. while a SAF troop carrier and passenger jeep were traveling along the road, just 100 meters from the provincial police headquarters in Brgy. Limpongo, Pintac said in a phone interview.

Aperocho, who was on the SAF truck, and the civilians, who were on the jeep, suffered wounds caused by shrapnels and glass shards.

Initial investigation by members of the Army’s 65th Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team indicated that the bomb was made of a 105-millimeter ammunition, detonated using a 4-meter wire found at the scene, Pintac said.

The official believes the bombing was carried out by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who have been attacking military and police detachments since early this month.

“Mayroon na kasi silang (BIFF) threat sa amin na pag mag-file kami ng kaso (for the attacks), isusunod naman ‘yung mga station namin,” Pintac said, adding that he learned of the threat on August 13.

Pintac directed policemen in all stations in Maguindanao to be more vigilant after the latest attack. (John Roson)

- end -