(Photo by Jamboy Ramos)
MANILA, Philippines — At least eight persons were injured after a blast ripped through stalls selling fireworks in front of the South Seas Mall along Magallanes St. in Cotabato City on Monday, a report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Police said an unidentified man dropped a wrapped box in the area which caused the loud explosion seconds later.
READ: Blast rocks firecracker stalls in front of Cotabato SouthSeas Mall
The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, police said in a report. Among those injured was a 4-year-old girl identified by police as Norlyn Biruar, a resident of the city.
An initial report identified some of the other injured as Bai Sandra Ayunan, 16, student and resident of Sitio Sagingan, Brgy. Kalanganan; Kutin Sedik , 65, resident of Marquez MB Poblacion; Hamida Solaiman, 21, resident of Magpet; Joey Api, 31, resident of Poblacion 2; Aida Dalandag, 58, resident of Poblacion; Marissa Torres, 49, resident of Peñafrancia; and Tarhata Biruar,43, the mother of Norlyn Biruar.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) have been deployed in the area to process the crime scene. A rescue team from Cotabato City said the explosion happened at around 1:59 p.m.
While police have yet to identify the type of explosive used by the suspect, General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said the improvised explosive device is the signature of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) or the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah.
“It is possible that it is a retaliatory attack because they suffered casualties during our operation the other day,” he said.
Sobejana did not elaborate as they are also coordinating with the investigation of the police. /muf