ISULAN, Sultan
Kudarat—Police and military authorities here have launched a manhunt against
two men who tossed a hand grenade on revelers during the provincial foundation
anniversary celebration on Saturday night.
Initial reports
said at least 15 persons were hurt, mostly late night shoppers at an agri-trade
fair on an 800-meter stretch of the highway in front of the Sultan Kudarat
provincial capitol.
Senior Supt. Rex
dela Rosa , Sultan Kudarat police provincial
director, said the blast occurred in a line of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing)
stalls in front of AG Advance Gasoline Station at about 8:30 p.m.
Dela Rosa said
the province, which was celebrating its 42nd foundation anniversary with a
“Kalimudan” (communal thanksgiving) festival, was always under threat from
lawless groups.
“We have threats
from bombings of improvised explosive devices on bus, public places, so we
sought the public support,” he said at the opening of the week-long
celebration.
People from all
walks of life, including children, were milling around “ukay-ukay centers” and
garden plants stalls along the Isulan-Tacurong highway when unidentified
suspects tossed the grenade.
Supt. Jemuel
Siason, chief of Sultan Kudarat police provincial public safety battalion, said
the wounded victims were rushed to the provincial hospital just across the
blast site.
No one has
claimed responsibility for the attack.
Dela Rosa also
appealed to anyone with information on the perpetrators to come forward so they
can be brought before the bar of justice.
Isulan and Sultan
Kudarat province have been subjected to grenade attacks in the past, mostly
blamed by authorities on Maguindanao-based extortion gang known as al-Khobar.
The group had
been preying on bus firms, asking “protection money” and subjecting to
harassment firms that ignored the lawless elements’ demands.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/news/-provinces/192588/authorities-launch-hunt-for-s-kudarat-grenade-throwers.html
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