Cotabato blast leaves 1 dead, 15 hurt

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Suspected members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) set off a homemade bomb in Kabacan town Sunday night, killing a college student and wounding 15 others.

Responding policemen and local officials rushed the victims to different hospitals.

Police said the suspect left the improvised explosive device (IED) near a highway pedestrian overpass and it was detonated by mobile phone.

Kabacan is less than 20 kilometers southeast of North Cotabato’s Pikit town where government troops have clashed with the rebels since Wednesday.

The explosion killed Monique Mantawil, a development communication student of the University of Southern Mindanao in the town proper of Kabacan, which is home to mixed Muslim and Christian residents.

The injured included residents Giezel Mae Butil, Samra Sembaga, Hartzel Bragat, Tonton Kusain, Flo Rohana, Girlie Royless, Rowena Nufies, Albert Palakpak, Ritchie Baguio, Queen Mary Alimuhanid, Muhamed Masukat, Ibrahim Bantulan, Arvie Estrella, and Mervin Lagat who were rushed to the provincial hospital in Kidapawan City and other clinics in Kabacan.

The Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade that has jurisdiction over Kabacan and nearby towns in the province is now helping the police investigate the bombing.

Investigators said two more unexploded IEDs were recovered near the scene of the explosion.

Responding Army and police bomb disposal squads immediately defused the IEDs.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza offered a P100,000 reward for anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the bombing.

Mendoza said most of the wounded were students, some still in critical condition.

“This is insane. As your governor, I am hurt and angry,” Mendoza said.

She stressed that government has invested so much resources and development programs to bring about peace and order in Cotabato, with sincere efforts only to be sabotaged by certain quarters.

The governor appealed to her constituents to be vigilant.

“Join me in embracing peace as we demand justice for all the victims of this senseless adventurism,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Army said four BIFF rebels were killed while a soldier was wounded after an encounter in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao last Sunday night.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the clash erupted when BIFF bandits attacked a detachment of soldiers in Barangay Sapakan in Rajah Buayan that triggered an hour-long firefight.

Barangay leaders have confirmed that four bandits were killed after the BIFF members clashed with troops of the 45th Infantry Battalion and local Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces.

Hermoso said the wounded soldier is now being treated in hospital.

“He is out of danger,” Hermoso said.

Bomb found in school

Police also recovered yesterday an IED planted in one of the classrooms of the Colonia Elementary School in Barangay Colonia in Lamitan City, Basilan.

Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo, Lamitan City police chief, reported that the IED was discovered at about 7:50 a.m. at the back portion of the classroom. – With Alexis Romero, Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado, Roel Pareño