2 dead, 32 hurt in Cotabato City mall blast; AFP eyes extremist groups

Two persons were killed while 32 others—including some children—were injured, when an improvised explosive device went off at a mall in Cotabato City on Monday afternoon.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division,  Sobejana said the IED exploded at 1:50 p.m at the entrance of the South Seas mall, near stalls selling firecrackers.

A police report indicated that the IED was inside "a wrapped box."

“Initial investigation revealed that one unidentified male person immediately dropped a wrapped box which [in] a few seconds... exploded," the police report read.

“[The] explosive [used is] still to be determined. However, the police's EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)and SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) [units] are in the area to process the scene,” it added.

A separate report on Balita Pilipinas said that the IED could have been brought to a tricycle in front of the mall and triggered by a mobile phone.

The PNP identified the fatalities as Jonathan Tasic Toriviano, a driver for Bangsamoro Transition Commission; and Mariam Wahab Kali.

Authorities in Region 12 initially identified those who succumbed to injuries as Mylove Nataña and Sidik Kutin before the PNP corrected the names as those of Toriviano and Kali.

Those injured were brought to the following hospitals.

The 32 injured were brought to these following hospitals:

Cotabato Regional Medical Center

1. Mohalidin Salibo Mamidto
2. Abdulmanan Abid Mamidto
3. Arnalyn Abid Mamidto
4. Krizza Mae Amistoso
5. Mabod Catuon
6. Nasreen Saylila Andin
7. Ryan Cosain Madali
8. Samanodin Masurong Romumba
9. Aida Analya Mocado
10. Mohamiden Saavedra Kahar
11. Hamida Akmad Solaiman
12. Sedik Otin
13. Joey Guiama Api
14. Bai Sandra Ayunan Mia
15. Aida Dalandas
16. Maria Marrisa Marzon Torres
17. Tarhata Biruar
18. Marie Franchesca Manzon Torres
19. Maria Fe Diazon Paren
20. Norhaine Daton
21. Norleen Biyam
22. Alnair Andaya Macado
23. Sarah Jane Esmael
24. Abdulhamid Upam Maulana

Cotabato Medical Specialist Hospital

1. Roniel Baraguir Masuban
2. Mylove Nataño
3. Notre Dame Hospital
4. Mohamad Mamadra Balabagan
5. Irene Silvano Rustia
6. Justine Sidro Rustia
7. Lordy Angelo Baydo

United Doctors Hospital

1. Ebrahim Historya Marsuban
2. Rhea Marsuban
3. Naida Salomon Sampurna

Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital

1. Karim Guialan Padian

According to GMA News stringer Ferdie Cabrera's report on Balita Pilipinas, another IED was also found at the second floor of South Seas Mall. It was diffused by the authorities before it could cause more harm.

Cotabato City has been put on lockdown and is under tight security as a result of the explosion.

Asked about the probable suspects, 6th ID commander Major General Cirilito Sobejana said there were none.

"Wala pa... pero alam naman natin kung sino yung naghahasik ng lagim dito sa Cotabato," Sobejana said.

"Ano yan, yung Daulah [Islamiya] kasi ito yung nag-break away din sila. Ito yung Daesh-inspired group," he added.

Sobejana said the Daulah could have launched the attack in retaliation to the massive offensive that the 6th ID launched against the group on December 27.

Asked about the probable suspects, 6th ID commander Major General Cirilito Sobejana said there were none.

"Wala pa... pero alam naman natin kung sino yung naghahasik ng lagim dito sa Cotabato,"  Sobejana said.

"Ano yan, yung Daulah [Islamiya] kasi ito yung nag-break away din sila. Ito yung Daesh-inspired group," he added.

Sobejana said the Daulah could have launched the attack in retaliation to the massive offensive that the 6th ID launched against the group on December 27. —NB, GMA News