Blast hits pawnshop in North Cotabato; no one hurt

MANIILA, Philippines—An improvised explosive device went off in front of a pawnshop in North Cotabato before dawn Wednesday but no one was hurt, police said.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato Police director, said the IED, placed on a chair in front of the M/L Lhuillier Pawnshop in Sto. Nino Street, Midsayap, exploded around 3 a.m.

No one was hurt and there was no major damage to property, he said, noting that the suspects may have purposely set off the bomb while residents were still sleeping so that no one would see them.

“Authorities received a text message from an anonymous person who said that the public market is being targeted for an explosion,” Peralta said.

Since the police and military  became more vigilant, Peralta said the suspects may have opted to leave the bomb somewhere to avoid detection.

“Hindi nila naipasabog sa kanilang purpose kaya iniwan nalang nila kung saan na walang witness at walang makakakita,” he said.

He added that this incident seemed not connected to the recent bombing in Cotabato City “as that one is allegedly intended for City Administrator, Attorney Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi”.

Authorities have yet to determine the components of the IED.

Nine persons were killed in the explosion at Sinsuat Avenue in North Cotabato last Monday.

A radio report said authorities have finished a composite sketch of up to three suspects in that incident.

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