5 hurt in grenade blast in Cotabato

Five people were hurt when a grenade lobbed by motorcycle-riding men exploded near a public market in Kabacan, North Cotabato, Saturday evening, police said.

Injured were Berlie Baluyot, 46; Rosalie Parenas, 36; John Clark Opena, 13; Gerardo Moya, 48; and Johainna Pops Alon, 17, North Cotabato provincial police spokesperson Supt. Bernard Tayong said.

They were brought to different hospitals due to wounds to the legs, head, chest, and back, he said.

The explosion occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Rizal Avenue and Malvar Street, which leads to the public market.

Two men on a blue motorcycle were seen lobbing the grenade before speeding off toward Malvar Street, Tayong said in a text message.

Local police are now trying to determine the attackers’ identities, whereabouts, and motive, he said.

Saturday’s explosion occurred just a few days after still unidentified men lobbed a grenade that exploded near a newly set up police outpost in Brgy. Kayaga, also in Kabacan, on Wednesday.

The previous incident left a 4-year-old boy injured.