6 dead, 28 hurt in Cotabato blast

From the Sun Star (Aug 5): 6 dead, 28 hurt in Cotabato blast

At least six people died while 28 others were injured when a powerful car bomb went off along the national highway here around 4:50 p.m. Monday.

Initial reports from the Cotabato City police said the explosive was planted in one of the cars parked in front of Villa Funeral Homes and went off just in time the convoy of Cotabato City Mayor Guiapal Guiani Jr. was passing through the road.

Sources close to the mayor said one of the cars in the convoy, a Chevrolet assigned to Guiani, was badly hit by the bomb.

 

 

A body lies beside burnt vehicles after a powerful bomb exploded in Cotabato City on Monday (August 5, 2013). (AP)

 

Shrapnel of the bomb damaged the car’s tires and windshield. The car, however, is bullet-proof and the mayor was not inside it.

 

The car was used, instead, by his eldest sister, City Administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, for her assessment of the flood victims that sought temporary shelter in at least six evacuation centers in the city.

Aniceto Rasalan, Guiani’s executive secretary, said Sayadi was not hit.

Rasalan also confirmed reports that one of the security guards and a policeman assigned in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) were among the fatalities.

Rasalan said that one of those killed was identified as Inspector Mama Manambuay, who happened to be along the road during the explosion.

 

He said Manambuay, head of the Police Intelligence Bureau of the Philippine National Police-Armm, was with Inspector Abubakar Mangelen who was also wounded during the blast.

Manambuay died while being treated at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) in Cotabato City.

One of the mayor’s security guards, whose identity is still not known, was also killed in the explosion.

 

 

 

 COTABATO. Police and military personnel inspect a burnt vehicle after a powerful bomb exploded in Cotabato city on Monday (August 5, 2013). (AP)

 

Rasalan, speaking for and on Mayor Guiani’s behalf, condemned the latest atrocity. He called the blast a dastardly act of terrorism.

“It was so unfortunate that while we’re still reeling from the effects of the floods, we’re again hit by this incident which we believe is a clear act of terrorism where many of our innocent civilians were again affected,” he said.

“Kung sino ang nasa likod dapat magbayad sa krimeng kanyang ginawa (Whoever is behind this must pay for the crime he committed),” Rasalan added.

Aside from the Chevrolet, shrapnel also hit nine other cars nearby.

Superintendent Rolen Balquin, city police director, said they are still getting details as to the motive and the identity of those behind the latest bombing in the city.

Shrapnel of the bomb also hit motorists and commuters plying the highway, caused fire, and hit several establishments near the villa.

 

 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/08/05/6-dead-28-hurt-cotabato-blast-296208