COTABATO, Philippines – An alleged bomb exploded at around 1:59 p.m. on Monday (December 31) in front of South Seas Mall along Magallanes St particularly near the baggage area.
Initial details of the explosion from Guerlie Frondoza of the locale government of Cotabato revealed a number of casualties transported to nearest hospitals.
Mall goers were immediately led outdoors for their safety.
“Around 2 o’clock nagkaroon nga na IED explosion sa isang mall particular sa South Seas Mall. Initially dun sa natanggap natin na report from the PNP kung saan sila po yung nagcoconduct ng operation, meron pong 11 na sugatan na andoon sa area doon sa infront ng mall na iyan na dinala agad sa pagamutan,” confirmed Capt. Arvin John Encinas, the spokesperson of the 6th ID, Philippine Army.
Investigation is underway to identify the IED while members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) work on to process the crime scene.
According to eyewitnesses, a man left a box at the entrance of the mall which suddenly exploded and hit the vendors nearby.
“May nag-iwan ng isang lalaki ng isang box na nakabalot then suddenly pumutok,” Encinas said.
Authorities, meanwhile, do not discount the possible participation of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the said blast.
“As of now po ongoing ang investigation. Hindi pa natin ma-determine kung sino ang mga may gawa nito. Syempre pa we do not discount may possibility ang grupo ng BIFF or other threat groups dito sa area ng central Mindanao,” Encinas said. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Janice Ingente)
Initial list of victims (w0unded) brought at Maternity Hospital.
- Bai Sandra Ayunan , 16yo, Student ,Res Of Sagingan . Kalanganan, Cot.
- Kutin Sedik , 65yo, Male, Res Of Marquez Mb Pob .Cot
- Hamida Solaiman, 21yo, Female, Res Of Sk, Mag
- Joey Api, 31yo, Male, Res Of Pob 2 Cot.
- Aida Dalandag, 58yo, Pob 1 Cot.
- Marissa Torres, 49yo, Res Of Penafrancia Rh11 Cot.
- Tarhata Biruar,43yo,Female, Sagingan Kalanganan Cot.
- N0rlyn Biruar, 4yo, Female
Wounded Victims And DOA Brought CRMC:
- Mohalidin Manidto
- Abdul Manan Manidto
- Krisha Max Amestoso
- Nasrin Anding
- Ryan Madali
- Samanodin Romuhida
- Mohamidin Kahar
- Aida Mokado
- Denise Marie Torre
- Karen Diazon
- Jonathan Tasic Torribaino (DOA), Res Of Upi, Mag
Wounded And DOA @ Cot Medical Specialist:
- Mariam Ulama Cali (DOA), Housewife
- Sarah Jane Esmael,34yo, Res Of Katuli, Sultan Kudarat,Mag
- Romel Maskuban, 17yo, Res Of Sultan Mastura, Mag
- Alnair Mocado, 19yo, Res Of Supermarket Site, Cot City
- Maylove Nataño, 32yo, Res Of Don E Sero St, Cot City
Wounded Victims At United Doctors Hospital
- Naida Sampurna, 16yo, Res Of Supermarket Site, Cot City
- Ibrahim Marsuban, 25yo, Res Of Sultan Mastura, Mag.
Wounded Victims Brought At NDH
- Justine Sitro Rustia, 9y0,
- Lordy Angelo Baydo, 8yo,
- Irene Silvano, 47yo, All Res Of Poblacion 4,Cot City
- Mohamad Mamadra Balabagan, 48yo, Res Of Balot, Sultan Mastura, Mag.
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