Islamic State claims Sultan Kudarat bombing

Local police confirmed 39 victims in a bomb explosion in Sultan Kudarat's provincial capital.

MANILA – Two people were killed while 36 others were injured after an improvised explosive device went off Tuesday night in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

The IED exploded inside a motorbike in front of J and H Marketing in Barangay Kalawag 3 at around 8:30 p.m., said Superintendent Aldrin Gonzales, spokesman for the Soccsksargen regional police.

On Wednesday the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosion, which took place when Sultan Kudarat was celebrating the Hamungaya Festival.

But the authorities have yet to find evidence showing that the blast was the handiwork of international terrorist group, said Superintendent Celestino Daniel, Isulan police chief.

“Hindi pa po tayo nagko-confirm nito dahil wala pa po tayong nakukuha diyan, regarding doon sa pag-ako nila. Hindi pa po tayo makapag-speculate, hindi pa po [complete] iyonginvestigation with regard doon sa signature ng ISIS,” Daniel said, using the other name of the IS.

Among those injured were Philippine Army soldiers from the 33rd Infantry Battalion who were on board a KM-450 military truck. They were already in stable condition. Two others injured were in critical condition, police said.

The blast occurred while government troops are on red alert amid constant threats from IS-inspired groups in Mindanao and amid the martial law in the entire southernmost major island.

Malacañang strongly denounced the bombing.

“Kinokondena natin iyan at wala pong ikabubuti iyang mga ganyang pangyayari,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr.

“Ang pangako po ng ating Pangulo, ang Mindanao po ay nasa martial law pa rin at gagawin po nating lahat para malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nitong pagbobomba namang ito saSultan Kudarat,” he said.

Roque added: “Parurusahan po natin iyan, ipaparamdam po natin sa kanila ang lakas ng ating mga batas at iyong mensahe na hindi pupuwede na hindi napaparusahan iyang mga ganyang mga gawain.”

“Another cowardly terroristic act” was how Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito described the incident. “(I) hope perpetrators [get] arrested. [I am] sending my deepest sympathies to those killed and prayers for the injured.”

All those responsible must be held accountable, said Sen. Cynthia Villar.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Sultan Kudarat,” Villar posted on Twitter. The senator was in Isulan on Sunday for the town’s 61st foundation anniversary celebration.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV called on Filipinos to pray for the nation.

“Ramdam ko ngayon ang matinding pangamba para sa ating mga anak at mahal sa buhay sa panahong patindi nang patindi ang kultura ng karahasan sa bayan,” he said.

SOURCE: Panay News

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