Eight hurt in IED explosion in Sultan Kudarat

KIDAPAWAN CITY - At least eight persons were hurt when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in front of the electric cooperative in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on Monday morning, a police official said.

Senior Superintendent Raul Supiter, Philippine National Police-Sultan Kudarat provincial director, said an unidentified suspect lobbed an IED in front of the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO) while the latter's employees were having a forum around 8:30 a.m.

Supiter identified the victims as Janno Buendicho, Kenneth John Caromba, Larry Daniel, Arnold Pamplona, Edison Escoltero, Rommel Calnazo, Jonel Alya and Janice Alcanado.

They sustained minor injuries from the shrapnel and were brought to Sandig Medical Clinic and Hospital and VMC Hospital in Tacurong City for treatment.

Supiter said that according to witnesses, two suspects on board a motocycle left a bag containing an IED near the SUKELCO.

Responding operatives from the military's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team recovered several concrete nails, gunpowder, blasting cap, and mobile phone that could serve as triggering mechanism.

“It is really intended to hurt or kill,” Supiter told this reporter.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and the identity of the suspects, Supiter added. —KG, GMA News