Marital dispute eyed in Maguindanao grenade blast

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Officials confirmed yesterday that the grenade attack that hurt seven people in Parang town Friday night was triggered by a marital quarrel.

Suspected bomber Sautoh Gitih fled after hurling a fragmentation grenade at a crowd in Parang Public Market located near the municipal hall.

“Gitih believed that one of the men in the crowd had an affair with his wife,” said Adnan Biruar, president of Association of Barangay Chairmen in Parang.

The couple’s neighbors confirmed hearing the two quarrelling over the issue hours before the incident.

Police launched a manhunt for the suspect.

The explosion was preceded by a burst of gunfire. Authorities have yet to confirm if the gunfire was a diversionary tactic.

Mayor Ibrahim Ibay identified the victims as Jamila Tomas, Abdullah Tomas, Salahudin Tomas, Saima Raoro, Camlon Rairo, Sirikit Magayan and a certain Lucman.

The victims were rushed two hospitals by members of the municipal rescue team.

Ibay and Biruar refused to identify who among the injured men was the suspected lover of Gitih’s wife.               – With Jaime Laude