Two die, four hurt in Maguindanao explosion

May 25, 2020

Two minors died while four others were wounded in an explosion incident in Maguindanao on Sunday afternoon.

In a report, Pat Ansary Ebus, investigator-on-case said the explosion believed to be from an 81 mm mortar happened at Kitango Market, Brgy. Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan around 3:20 pm.

Ebus said a 10-year-old and a seven-year-old identified as Aslamia and Nadima Tambak. died while four others were injured after the explosion struck their house.

The wounded victims were identified as Norsaid Tambak, 5, Datu  Joehad Singh,10, Mohamiden P. Zaidon and Noraisa Tambak 38.

Based on initial report, all of the victims were inside their home when the incident happened except for Aslamia who died outside their residence.

The police and military forces are investigating the incident.

However, Maj. Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) Western Mindanao Command said there was no military operation in the area.

"We have no operating troops in the area when the incident happened as we respect the Holy Ramadan," he said.

"We have mentioned that there was no combat operation in the area, we did not do mortar shelling in the area," he added.

"Actually yesterday we do not have ground troops on the ground, there was no operation during that incident so our commander issued a directive to further conduct investigation with the police to determine what happened," said Encinas.

"Our recommendation to our commander is to create a board of inquiry to support the ongoing joint investigation conducted by (Army's) 6th Infantry Division and PNP," he added.

Encinas also mentioned there is a  clan war in the area.

"Prior to that incident there was an ambush, because there is an existing rido within the barangay, there were MILF (Moro Islamic Freedom Fighter) members who were ambushed. Three were killed," he said.

Encinas said the three MILF members died on the spot during the ambush  within the same barangay around 11:34 am. Robina Asido/DMS