APD | Grenade blast, IED injure soldiers, civilians in Southern Philippines

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, Dec. 23 (APD) – Seven soldiers on board a military vehicle were injured along with four civilians as unidentified teenagers lobbed a grenade at their vehicle early Sunday night in Cotabato City.

Lt. General Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief, in a message sent to this writer said the blast took place near the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas facility in downtown Cotabato.

“Eyewitness accounts disclosed the suspects looked like 15-year old teenagers,” General Sobejana said. He added the grenade exploded outside the military vehicle “but within lethal radius.”

They were brought immediately to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device injured five civilians at the town proper of Libungan, North Cotabato at 6:35 P.M. last night. The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention.

President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to visit Cotabato City this afternoon.

In a phone interview with General Sobejana, he said they are looking into the possibility the two explosions were coordinated. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the twin blasts.

(Cover: Lt. General Cirilito E. Sobejana, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief. File Photo/Melo M. Acuña)

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)