1 dies, another hurt as blasts rock Maguindanao town

From the Philippine News Agency (May 9): 1 dies, another hurt as blasts rock Maguindanao town

Explosions hit this town Sunday night and Monday morning as voters prepare to cast their votes, military and police officials said.

Habiri Katapukan of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, was killed when a man fired rifle grenade toward the town public market where voting was taking place at 7 a.m. Monday.

Police also said Tarhana Manampan, also from Sultan sa Barongis, was injured during the grenade attack.

Before today's bombings, two rifle grenades were also fired in the same area but nobody was injured.

Soldiers and police officers are now securing the town center where the public market, covered court and terminal were located.

Voting was going on despite the explosions that preceded election process.

Soldiers and police officers are now occupying the voting precincts to control the unruly crowd, some carry sticks, wood and stones allegedly to prevent "flying voters" from coming in town.

Despite the rifle grenade attacks, voters continue to queue at covered court where voting was taking place.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=883533