Cotabato explosion kills boy, injures 2 minors

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A 10-year-old boy died while two of his companions were injured when a 40mm mortar projectile they found at a river in Arakan, Cotabato, before noon on Monday exploded, an official said.

Col. Ramel Hojilla, Cotabato provincial police director, said one of the victims played with the 40mm mortar projectile by pounding it with a rock, which resulted in the explosion.

The three victims were bathing in the river in Sitio Danao, Barangay Ganatan when the incident took place, he told the Inquirer.

He identified the fatality as Mateo Lopez and the injured as Jiliana Camaydo, 8, and Jhonmark Lopez, 11.

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Responding members of the Arakan police station and the 72nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army rushed the injured victims to the hospital.

Hojilla appealed to residents to report to authorities if they find similar or suspicious objects for proper disposition to avoid loss of lives or injuries. /mcm