Grenade explodes at Mindanao university

KABACAN, North Cotabato, Philippines—A grenade went off inside the campus of the state-run University of Southern Mindanao here Thursday, barely four hours after the  institution’s new president assumed office, the police said Friday.

Superintendent Jordaine Maribojo, Kabacan police chief, said no one was injured in the explosion of a fragmentation grenade at USM’s motorpool but it damaged a government-owned vehicle.

Maribojo would not comment on suspicions the explosion had something to do with the hotly contested presidency.

He said the 7:20 p.m. blast occurred just four hours after Dr. Franciso Gil Garcia took office as new USM president.

The selection of the new president was decided upon after Jesus Derije’s administration was rocked by protests often marred by bombings.

Maribojo said security has been tightened anew at USM following the latest incident.