6 killed, 15 wounded in Mindanao bomb attacks

MANILA, Philippines—Six people were killed and 10 others were injured in an explosion late Tuesday night near a church after New Year’s eve Mass in Basilan.

Reports from the Philippine National Police said the blast at the residential area in Barangay (village) Tumahubong in Sumisip municipality killed Linebel Cisneros, Lourdes Ablong, Rey Limben, Khadic Kitarol, Elbert Gumuba and an unidentified child.

It happened at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday during a New Year’s party following a Mass at the residence of a certain militiaman Manuel Cisneros near San Vicente Ferrer Parish.

According to PNP reports, four were hurt but Armed Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said the attack injured 10.

Police said the improvised explosive device used was believed to be made from charges of 105 millimeter Howitzer.

In a separate incident, five were wounded when unidentified men tossed a fragmentation grenade along the national highway in Barangay Ugalingan, Carmen, North Cotabato at around 8 p.m.

The victims, a mother and her three children and another girl, were outside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) when three suspects on board two motorcycles lobbed the explosive.

The victims were about to enter the Church periphery when the explosion occurred.

Islamist militants and Muslim rebels are known to operate in the two southern provinces, but Zagala says it could not be immediately determined if they were involved. With a report from Williamor A. Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao

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