Bomb attack kills civilian, 7 others injured

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A bomb explosion Wednesday killed one civilian and wounded 7 others in a daring broad daylight attack in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town, officials said. 

Photos from the social media page of North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco show the Yellow Bus Line damaged from the roadside bombing in Tulunan town on January 27, 2021. 

Officials said the explosion occurred on the highway near a fruit stand where a provincial bus was picking up passengers.

Governor Nancy Catamco condemned the attack. “Ito ay isang kalapastangan di lamang sa batas, ngunit lalo na sa karapatang pangtao ng bawat mamamayan. Ang insidenteng ito ay isang dagok laban sa seguridad at kapayapaan ng ating probinsya. Ngunit tulad ng lahat ng mga pagsubok na atin ng napagdaanan, sama-sama at tulong-tulong tayong bumangon,” she said. 

Catamco ordered authorities to hunt down the bomber, but no individual or group claimed responsibility for the blast that killed the 53-year old Gina Paunon. The injured were identified as Ryan Panibayo, 28; Ritche Pedroso, 32; Lorester Coio, 25; and Jake Campano, 19. Three others suffered trauma attack – Eduardo Odango, 54; Rodel Secur, 24; and Kent Lloyd Senadero, 19. 

Catamco called on the public to stay vigilant. “Hiniling nito ang ibayong pag-iingat po sa ating lahat, at manatili tayong maging mapagmasid at bigilante sa ating paligid. Wag po tayong mag atubiling makipagtulungan sa mga kinauukulan upang maiwasan na ang mga ganitong pangyayari,” she said.

Tulunan Mayor Michael Limbungan said the explosion occurred at noon in a ticket booth in the village of Sibsib. He said another person died from a heart attack following the blast.

The attack occurred the same day President Rodrigo Duterte announced the appointment of Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana as the next Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Chief of Staff, replacing Gen. Gilbert Gapay who is to retire next week.

The blast came a day after pro-ISIS militants detonated a roadside bomb in the town of South Upi in neighboring Maguindanao province and killed a civilian. The military blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters for the bombing. (With additional reporting by Rhoderick Benez.)

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