Maguindanao bombing might be a case of mistaken identity —police

The bombing incident in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao that killed a municipal treasurer, his son, and two others on Tuesday evening might have been a case of mistaken identity, a report from Balitanghali on Wednesday said.

GMA News stringer Ferdinandh Cabrera reported that the authorities have yet to identify the target of the improvised explosive device planted by suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), but they believe the victims might have been mistaken as government forces.

The victims, identified as Datu Salibo municipal treasurer Kaloy Makabangen, his son Ken-ken Makabangen, and Alex Alap Ganoy, were headed home to Datu Salibo when their van was hit by the bomb's explosion at 10 p.m.

There is no information on whether the incident was politically motivated, the report said.

The report added that military troops and members of the BIFF engaged in an aerial fight Tuesday, and the clash between the two forces has yet to end.

Food and supplies have been distributed to the residents who evacuated the affected areas.

The military has not released an exact number of casualties, but the BIFF has reported one fatality.

The residence of the wife of the Datu Piang vice mayor in Cotabato City was also hit by an explosion on Tuesday, the report said.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), unidentified people riding in tandem threw the grenade into the compound.

No one was injured in the incident. —Jessica Bartolome/KG, GMA News