4 wounded in Basilan grenade attack

FOUR people, including a student, were wounded in a grenade explosion at a gasoline station in Lamitan City, Basilan province, police said Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Police Colonel Cerrazid Umabong, Basilan police director, who inspected the blast site, said the explosion occurred around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at A.G. Gas Station along Aguinaldo Street in Barangay Matibay, Lamitan City.

The victims were identified as Jamil Mataud Mahmud, 45, a construction worker; Naim Lamla Tomas, 30, a gasoline boy; Gunong Reyyan, 20, a student; and Mut-ab Muntasil Gunong, 23, also a gasoline boy.

Initial investigation showed the victims were at the gasoline station when an unidentified suspect threw a grenade.

The victims were rushed to Lamitan District Hospital for immediate medical treatment and were later advised by attending physicians to transfer to a medical facility in Zamboanga City.

Umabong said fragments of a fragmentation grenade were recovered from the blast site.

He added that the investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and identify the suspect behind the attack.

Umabong also urged residents to remain vigilant and calm, and to assist authorities in bringing the perpetrator to justice. (SunStar Zamboanga)