A WOMAN was killed while at least five others, including an 11-year-old child, were wounded when a bomb exploded in Tulunan, North Cotabato on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
The fatality was identified as Gina Paunon, 53, from Barangay Cajelo.
Those wounded, aside from the minor, were Rodel Secur, 24; Kent Lloyd Sendero,19; Ryan Panibayo, 28; and Retchie Pedroso, 32.
Tulunan Mayor Reuel Limbungan said the explosion happened at around 12:30 p.m. near a bus ticket booth in Barangay Sibsib.
Bus driver Melvin Lumayag said he was about to unload a passenger near the ticket booth when he heard a loud explosion. His passengers were unhurt.
In a Facebook post, former Cotabato board member Socrates Piñol, who happened to be in the area during the incident, said the bomb may have been placed in the waiting shed.
On Tuesday, a motorcycle rider was killed after a roadside bomb went off in South Upi in Maguindanao.
Authorities also found minutes later another bomb left near the public market which is located a few meters away from the first explosion.
Joint Task Force Central spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Anhouvic Atilano said they were looking at the involvement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the attacks. (SunStar Philippines)