At least seven people were injured after an improvised explosive device exploded near a public market in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat at around 7 a.m. on Saturday, authorities said.
Those hurt were identified as Jomar Catalan Aquino, 30; Jay Carnaso, 30; Gerald Cartagena, 28; Niño Minus Virgo; Jarren Binaluon Amigo, 24; Gulano Nasim Salip, 24; Cagadas Terrencio, 35. They are being treated in hospitals, as of this writing. Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) spokesman told CNN Philippines no none has suffered major injuries from the explosion.
The blast happened hours before the decommissioning of rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, which is expected to be attended by President Rodrigo Duterte. The venue of the event is just a two-hour drive from the blast site.
RELATED: Decommissioning of MILF fighters, weapons begins September 7
Encinas said the ceremony will push through despite the blast in the Isulan public market, which is about 100 kilometers away from the venue of the event.
About half a kilometer of the Isulan National Highway is closed to traffic, as authorities investigate the blast.
CNN Philippines
✔@cnnphilippines
· 14h
Replying to @cnnphilippines
JUST IN: Number of people wounded in Sultan Kudarat blast rises to seven
CNN Philippines
✔@cnnphilippines
PNP SOCO now at the site of the explosion | @davidyusantos http://cnn.ph/2ZUdVuv
10:36 PM - Sep 6, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See CNN Philippines's other Tweets
Authorities are currently finding out if the device used was command-denotated, as they have recovered parts of a cellphone, Encinas said. They are also checking if the planting of the EID was caught on CCTV, he added.
"Possible po na (that) command detonated [device] ang ginamit (was used), na (that) it was placed inside a box," Encinas said.
He added that the police have been talking to witnesses.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.