Another blast rocks N. Cotabato: 2 dead, 34 hurt

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – At least 2 people were killed and scores others were wounded in a grenade explosion in a town in North Cotabato on Saturday afternoon, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

The blast occurred inside a cockfighting arena in Sitio Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Lawili in Aleosan town around 1:45 in the afternoon, Col Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) told Rappler.

Galon said a certain Fermin Caloquin died on the spot following the explosion, while a Vicente Sabando died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

At least 34 people were also wounded in the incident and were admitted to Aleosan District Hospital and Amado Hospital in Midsayap town. 

Among those injured was Minalanding Kilos, a village official in Aleosan.

Motive

This is the second explosion to hit North Cotabato in 4 days. Last April 11, 3 people were killed while 16 others were hurt when a bomb went off inside a passenger bus in Carmen town.

Authorities are initially downplaying the possibility the both incidents were related.

“The motive behind the (latest) explosion is believed to be a personal grudge,” Galon said.

The Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams and the police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives have collected evidence, including shrapnels, as part of the investigations at the crime scene. – Rappler.com