Soldier, 4 civilians hurt in 2 Marawi blasts

Improvised explosive devices (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MARAWI CITY — An Army soldier and four civilians were wounded following two explosions in Barangay Rorogagus here on Wednesday afternoon, a belated military report said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Joselito Pastrana, the commander of the 65th Infantry Battalion, said the explosions took place as a convoy of military trucks was passing by the area past 5 p.m.

Pastrana said based on the accounts of those in the convoy, the lead vehicle was hit in one of the blasts, wounding one of the soldiers. A motorcycle passing by the area rammed into the lead military truck, which abruptly stopped when the explosion took place. The motorcycle driver and his three passengers were injured.

He said the explosions were caused by two improvised explosive devices, made up of C4 and packed with nails.

Pastrana identified the wounded soldier as Sergeant Adrian Gaon while the injured civilians were identified as Fathma Nawira, 39, a public school teacher; Hafi Daluma,11; Hasbea Daluma, 8; and Adatu Gulam, the motorcycle driver.

All the wounded victims were rushed to the Amai Pakpak Hospital here for treatment.

Pastrana believed the explosion was set off by the Maute group, which has been the target of a massive military operation in Lanao del Sur since early this year.  SFM/rga