(VIDEO COURTESY OF ANDREW NISSI SUNGA)
By Ben O. Tesiorna
A car bomb explosion killed eight and wounded 40 people in Cotabato City Monday afternoon.
The explosion happened amidst assurance by the Armed Forces of the Philippines that there is no global terrorism threat in the country and while the predominantly Muslim city is celebrating the holy month of Ramadhan.
It was around 4:30 p.m. of August 5 (Philippine time) when an explosion ripped thru the Sinsuat Avenue right at the center of Cotabato City.
The explosion damaged seven vehicles and caused fire in nearby establishments including a funeral parlor. Authorities suspect that the bomb was placed inside a multicab.
Some of the fatalities were identified as:
1. Police Major Abubakar Mangelen
2. SPO4 Mama Manambuay
3. Sangkala Satul
4. Samsudin
5. Usop
Some of the wounded are:
1. Haroun, Adam
2. Carugna, Allan
3. Malicdem, Eduardo
4. Aimeroda, Ezekiel
5. Hamza, Lucas
6. Manguda, Laiza
7. Lu, Emelie
8. Unto, Harris
9. Mampen, Datupeges
10. Dicaing, Erlinda
11. Ulama, Alsaima
12. Sindatok, Salipudin
13. Besanes, Ritchie John
14. Antolin Edison
15. Olen, Ivy John
16. Esmael Anajane
17. Ali, Guiamla
18. Abas, Norhaya
19. Badrudin, John Anthony
20. Salik, Jowadi
21. Lasap, Nelsie
22. Melgar, Edwardo
23. Ali, Omar
24. Mangelen, Abubakar
25. Buhat, Ruby
26. Libradilla, Ivy
The casualties were rushed to the Cotabato City Regional Hospital.
DAVAO HEIGHTENS ALERT
Alert status in Davao Region is meanwhile heightened in light of the Cotabato bombing and the Cagayan de Oro blast last July 26.
Police Regional Office 11 director Chief Supt. Wency Pascual made the directive to all police commanders in the region.
Davao City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa readily made rounds in the downtown area and inspected malls and parks and establishments frequented by the public.
Dela Rosa said they have long implemented tight security measures in Davao City after the bombing in CDO where 8 people died and 26 others wounded. The security is also in preparation for the upcoming Kadayawan Festival here in Davao City this month.
Task Force Davao commander Col. Casiano Monilla meanwhile urged the public to be vigilant and cooperate with the authorities.
Authorities here maintained that despite the two bombings in Central and Northern Mindanao, the Davao Region remains peaceful and free from any threat.