COTABATO CITY, Philippines – An explosion at the local government compound in Buluan town, Maguindanao del Sur, caused panic among residents on the evening of Good Friday, April 18, a former governor confirmed.
The explosion took place just three days after the Commission on Elections (Comelc) placed the same town under its control due to a surge in cases of violence in the area weeks before the midterm elections.
The explosion, which occurred 8 pm, was followed by a fire near the municipal hall, according to Esmael Mangudadatu, a former governor of Maguindanao who once served as Buluan mayor.
At least one person was hurt, according to police.
Lieutenant Colonel Jopy Ventura, spokesperson of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BAR) said that based on the initial investigation, motorcyle-riding suspects lobbed three grenades which damaged one vehicle and injured a person, who was hit by shrapnel.
Former board member King Jhazzer Mangudadatu, a Buluan resident, said on Facebook that the suspects might have targeted the business establishment of his cousin, Bai Ayesha Dilangalen-Mukaram, who is also the Barangay Poblacion Chairperson.
The establishment is in front of the Buluan town hall compound.
King Jhazzer Mangudadatu said they have sent copies of the CCTV footage of the night of the incident to police, which showed the suspects. “They could have targeted the Bai Ayesha’s compound but due to rush and haste to escape soon, they miscalculated the throwing of grenades and it landed elsewhere”, he said.
He said Ayesha had a heated argument on social media with people from rival political clans related to food packages to residents.
The Comelec earlier sought the relief of the police directors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the two Maguindanao provinces due to the rising cases of election violence in the region.
A Special Action Forces unit has been sent to the BARMM as the Comelec placed the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur under its control. The poll body will take direct supervision over local security measures and the electoral process in these areas ahead of the May elections. – Rappler.com