8 wounded in 2 grenade attacks in North Cotabato

COTABATO CITY—Eight persons, including two soldiers, were hurt in two separate grenade attacks here and in Kabacan, North Cotabato, on Saturday evening, police said.

The first attack occurred at 6:30 p.m. near the public market of Kabacan that left five persons wounded, including two minors.

Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato police spokesperson, said two men riding on a motorbike lobbed a hand grenade at the corner of Rizal Avenue and Malvar Street.

Wounded were Johainna Pops Alon, 17; Berlie Baluyot, 46; Rosalie Parenas, 36; John Clark Opena, 13, and Gerardo Moya, 48, all residents of Poblacion Kabacan.

Tayong said the suspects sped toward Barangay Kayaga, also in Kabacan.

About an hour later, two men riding on a motorbike also tossed a hand grenade at two parked vehicles while soldiers conducting patrol on board a vehicle were passing by.

The blast occurred at the corner of Sinsuat Avenue and Rosales Street at 7:30 p.m.

Wounded were Pfc. Romer Agustin, 27, and Pfc. Noel Ganab, 28, both of the Army Special Forces Battalion and student Mohaimen Biron, 21. Edwin O. Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao