Homemade bomb explodes near GenSan city hall

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – A homemade bomb exploded at around 7:45 pm on Tuesday, September 16, near the General Santos City Hall, an army official said.

Philippine Army Col Reynato Padua, head of the Joint Task Force-General Santos (JTF-GenSan), said an improvised explosive device was planted in a box at the city’s monument of national hero Jose Rizal.

The monument is around 30 meters away from the city hall. The front portion of its foundation was damaged by the blast.

Police authorities who responded to the scene of the explosion initially said around 8 were hurt. A report from the Army, however, said 6 civilians were wounded and are now in the hospital for treatment.

The Philippine Information Agency in the city pegged the number of wounded residents at 7, with 5 of them at the nearby St Elizabeth Hospital and the rest at the General Santos District Hospital. 

Joint elements of the Philippine National Police and the JTF-GenSan of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division responded to assist the victims and conduct a probe, Captain Alberto Caber told Rappler.

Caber is the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).

The area of the blast is now sealed off by Scene of the Crime Operatives. Investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators and their motive behind the attack.

As of past 9 pm, General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera was on a closed-door meeting with investigating authorities. – with reports from Karlos Manlupig, Edwin Espejo and Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler.com