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Seven hurt after blast rocks public market in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat


Seven people were injured after a loud blast occurred at a public market in the municipality of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat on Saturday morning.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Joven Bagaygay, chief of the Isulan Municipal Police Station, told Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV that the blast occurred at 7 a.m. in front of the public market.

Authorities believe the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device placed beside a parked motorcycle.

The said area where the explosion occurred at the Isulan Public Market is the parking area for motorcycles. 

 

 

Most of the motorcycles are owned by vendors in the market, Bagaygay said.

 

 

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao posted CCTV footage capturing the actual moment of explosion.

WATCH: Video captures moment of blast in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat

The injured were brought to the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital and Holy Nazarene Hospital for medical treatment. One was admitted while six were outpatients.

Authorities identified the injured as Jomar Catalan Aquino, 30; Jay Carnaso, 30; Gerald Cartagena, 28; Niño Minus Virgo, 28; Jarren Binaluon Amigo, 24; Gulano Nasim Salip, 24; and traffic enforcer Cagadas Terrencio, 35.

Terror group

Bagaygay said they are looking into whether a terror group involved in alleged extortion was behind the blast.

He however denied the blast was the work of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Investigation is ongoing as of posting time.

Major Arvin Encinas, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command, said the suspects have yet to be determined.

He admitted however that they are checking if the rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters was involved.

Bagaygay said the main road was closed to motorists as of posting time as the crime scene is still being processed.

Establishments in the area also closed shop after the blast, he added.

Bagaygay urged residents to report to authorities if they see any suspicious activities in their communities. —KG, GMA News

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