Cops recover bomb, grenade near hospital in Cotabato City

Authorities foiled an attempted bombing in Cotabato City on Thursday after recovering an improvised explosive near a local hospital, police said.

Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, city police director, said the improvised bomb was found in front of the Cotabato Regional Medical Center on Sinsuat Avenue around 12:30 p.m.

The bomb was made of a 60-millimeter mortar ammunition and had a grenade fuse for its trigger, Balquin said in a text message.

Police were earlier tipped off about a “suspicious object” left in front of the CRMC, he said.

Elements of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team retrieved the bomb and conducted a further search in the area, then found an Mk-2 fragmentation grenade, Balquin said.

The area was declared clear of explosives around 1 p.m. after a thorough search, he said.

Investigators are still trying to determine the bombers’ identities and motive, Balquin said. TVJ