BOMB BLAST. The site of a bombing on in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that injured at least four persons on Saturday (Sept. 7, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Isulan MPS)
ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Unidentified men set off an improvised explosive device in front of the public market here Saturday morning, leaving at least four persons injured, police said.
Lt. Col. Junie Buenacosa, Isulan police director, said the blast occurred shortly before 7 a.m. in front of the public market, which is along the national highway.
“The suspected IED was placed at a terminal for motorcycles in front of the public market,” Buenacosa said, referring to a row of motorcycles for hire, locally called “habal-habal”.
"We do not have the exact number of victims yet,” Buenacosa said, adding that no lawless group has claimed responsibility yet to the attack. However, at least four persons were hurt based on initial reports.
He said a traffic enforcer was seen lying at the blast site. Responding police rushed him to the hospital. Three others were reported injured in the blast.
“Parked motorbikes were in total disarray,” Buenacosa said.
Last year, two successive bombings hit the town that left five persons dead and 45 others hurt.
In April this year, another IED went off in front of a chicken barbecue stall also in the same stretch of the national highway. Police and military authorities have blamed the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) for the past bombing attacks.
Isulan is the provincial capital of Sultan Kudarat province. (PNA)
