A suspected improvised explosive device went off in a public market in Sultan Kudarat yesterday morning, injuring at least seven persons, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported.
Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the AFP-Western Mindanao Command, identified the victims as Jomar Aquino, 30; Jay Carnaso, 30; Gerald Cartagena, 28; Niño Virgo, 28; Jarren Amigo, 24; Gulano Nasim Salip, 24; and Cagadas Terrencio, 35, a traffic enforcer.
Terrencio, who was found bloodied and sprawling on the highway, was rushed to the Holy Nazarene Hospital while the six others were brought to Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital.
Initial investigation disclosed that the bomb exploded around 7 a.m. after it was left by unidentified suspects beside a parked motorcycle at the vicinity of a public market in Isulan town, the capital of Sultan Kudarat.
Encinas said authorities have yet to identify the suspects behind the attack.
He, however, confirmed that among the groups they were eyeing behind the attack was the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
“Still to be determine po pero kasama po ‘yan sa tinitingnan natin,” Encinas said. “On-going pa naman ang investigation,” he added.
The bombing incident in Isulan town was the second for this year and the fourth in the last 13 months as threat groups continued to challenge the peace and order and the authority of State forces in the area despite the implementation of martial law.
Just last April 3, an IED went off in a chicken restaurant in the town which resulted in the wounding of 17 persons. (Martin Sadongdong)
