Explosions rock Maguindanao, 2 hurt including a policeman

COTABATO CITY -  A policeman and a civilian were hurt in a twin bombing incident on Friday evening that brought havoc among Teduray residents  of North Upi, Maguindanao.

Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello, provincial police commander of Maguindanao confirmed that two explosions took place past 7 p.m.

“The information we received, the first explosion was believed to be a hand grenade lobbed near the elementary school where a basketball event is happening, when the police responded, a secondary bomb exploded (IED) wounding one of our police responder”, he said.

Tello believed that the attack is meant to hurt his policemen when an Improvised Explosive Device was planted.

The groups behind the action in Barangay Burungotan are yet to be identified.

Joint-Task Force Central Mindanao spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana identified the police victim as PO1 Marjun Lahaylahay while the wounded basketball player is still unidentified.

The first explosion was heard around 7:45 pm while the second explosion took place 8 p.m.

Troops from Marine Batallion Landing Team 7, which is stationed in the area, immediately deployed a team with a V-150 armored vehicle.

It can be recalled that December 10 last year, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members conducted a similar attack occurred in the same town wherein a Marine trooper and a policeman were injured. — BAP, GMA News