Blast hits Kidapawan City, 1 killed, 1 hurt–police

MANILA, Philippines — An explosion occurred in front of a government office in Kidapawan City Friday morning, killing one and injuring another, a spokesman for the Philippine National Police said.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the fatality, Manampan Demalin, may have carried the improvised explosive device (IED) to the National Irrigation Administration office in Amas.

He said authorities were investigating the 12:57 a.m. explosion that injured a certain Kalim Indigay.

Cruz said that the Cotabato Provincial Police Office-Explosives Ordnance Disposal, Scene of the Crime Operatives, and Investigation teams were scouring the area for bomb parts.

Meanwhile, Central Mindanao Regional Police Director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said Indigay, who admitted that he is part of the local Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Commander Usman Kautin of the Misuari faction was the one who guided Demalin in travelling from Sitio Pagagaw in Patadon village to Kidapawan City.

Mantele added that Indigay also told them that he stood roughly three meters from Demalin when the blast occurred.