Soldier, 3 others hurt in Cotabato City car blast

MANILA, Philippines – A member of the Special Forces of the Philippine Army and three civilians were injured when a car bomb exploded in Cotabato City, a police official said Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Aldrin Gonzales, Police Regional Office 12 spokesman, said Private Dondon Asuncion Bambao suffered innuries to the head when a Wrangler Jeep, with plate number MCF-443 rigged with explosives exploded.

Bambao is a member of the Special Forces 5th Battalion and was conducting regular patrol in the area when the explosion happened.

Also injured in the blast were civilians Baingan Aliuden Ango, Mambai Ulandigan Datumanong and Abdulrakman Martin who suffered wounds in the torso.

A certain Professor Ismael Abdula owned the jeep which was parked at the back of Public Plaza Grandstand in Makakua Street, Poblacion 5, Cotabato City.

“Prof. Abdula happened to alight from the vehicle when the explosion happened,” Gonzales said.

Major Dante Gania, 6th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer, suspects that the improvised explosive device rigged to the jeep was the handiwork of the group of Basit Usman.

Usman, as the United States State Department describes, is a bomb expert with links to the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“Mostly likely these were done by Basit Usman or his men,” Gania said. “They don’t have any remorse if they hit civilians.”

“IEDs are the signature bombs of Usman.”

He added that they could not detect hidden IEDs in vehicles as they could only confiscate materials in plainsight. Doing so would require a warrant.

“We can’t scour the hidden parts of a vehicle in a checkpoint as it is a violation of human rights,” Gania said.

Victims were brought to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.