8 persons hurt in North Cotabato blast

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—Eight persons were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off inside a state college in Arakan, North Cotabato, shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday.

Inspector Rolly Oranza, the town police chief, said the wounded included a disaster officer and a policeman. Oranza, however, did not give the identities of the wounded.

The explosion took place beside the Presidential Cottage of the Cotabato State College of Science and Technology.
Oranza said police earlier received information regarding the discovery of an IED. As police were cordoning the area, the explosive went off, wounding the victims.

The victims were rushed to the nearby Arakan Valley Hospital.—Williamor Magbanua