Bomb explodes near radio station

MANILA, Philippines – A bomb exploded in a building that houses a radio station early Wednesday morning, August 7, in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Authorities said the bomb went off at 3:30 am at the ground floor of the Tenerio building along Santoneo St, Poblacion One, Midsayap. On the second floor of the building is local radio station Wow FM.

There were no reported casualties, but the bomb damaged the door and windows of a pawnshop.

Rolly Sacdalan, radio station owner, told reporters they have been receiving reports of planned terrorist attacks in the town.

Only two days ago, August 5, a powerful blast killed 8 and destroyed 4 vehicles in Cotabato City.

On July 26, a bomb exploded in a restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City, killing 8. 

No group has claimed responsibility for the incidents, although there are fears these are related to opposition to the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MILF has condemned the attack in Cotabato City, noting it occurred in the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. Even its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which is opposed to the peace talks, also denounced the incident. 

But a risk consultancy group hired by foreign businessmen doing business in Mindanao points to the BIFF as the “most likely suspect” in the Cagayan de Oro bombing. – with reports from Ferdinandh Cabrera/Rappler.com