Authorities identify bomb component used in Sultan Kudarat blast

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities believe that 105 Howitzer rounds made up the improvised explosive device that hit one of the vehicles in Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu’s convoy.

Director Felicisimo Khu of the Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao said their investigators based their theory on the pieces of shrapnel they recovered and the destructive effect of the IED.

He disclosed that investigation also showed that the vehicle used in planting the bomb was owned by a certain Maureen Macasindil from Davao City.

A bomb placed inside a white Kia Pride (MDJ-274) exploded at around 3:20 p.m. along the Alunan Highway in Tacurong City, killing one and injuring seven others. Five of the victims came from the third vehicle in Mangudadatu’s convoy, Datu Rusman Sinsuat’s black Fortuner (LGU-933).

Khu identified the fatality as Raffy Parenas and the wounded as Bebot Barabarang, Datu Rusman Sinsuat Sr., Datu Rusman Sinsuat Jr., Noble Abdullah, Mabang Ant0nio Algaba, Richard Sonza and Robert Formacion.