4 dead in Cotabato blast

COTABATO CITY—Four persons were killed while at least 30 others were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off just outside the entrance of the public market in Mlang, North Cotabato on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

The victims were shopping among fruit stands outside the Mlang public market when the blast occurred at 3:45 p.m., according to Barangay Poblacion chair Rafael Porras.

Porras said most of the injured were rushed to Mlang Doctor’s Hospital and Mlang District Hospital. Other wounded victims were rushed to Kidapawan City.

Mlang Mayor Joselito Pinol condemned the bomb attack.

He also called on local government employees to assist the wounded victims in the hospital. Private individuals who owned vehicles were asked to lend their vehicle to transport the victims to the hospital in Kidapawan City.

No one has claimed responsibility for the second deadly IED attack in this town since Nov. 23 when three died and 20 others were hurt. That time, a bomb had exploded at a billiard hall near the town plaza.

Resurreccion said most of the 30 wounded were hit by shrapnel in the lower extremities and feet.

Initial investigation showed the bomb was placed a few meters from the entrance of the public market where people mill about buying circle-shaped fruits considered lucky for the New Year.

The Wednesday blast happened a day after police from the regional PNP headquarters arrested a suspect in Mlang believed responsible for the Nov. 23 bombing.