Explosion rocks house of Maguindanao Sur vice gubernatorial bet
Inquirer files
COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Unidentified men lobbed on Sunday night an explosive in front of the residential compound of Maguindanao del Sur vice gubernatorial candidate Uztadz Hisham Nando in Buluan town.
Police Lt. Dean Carlo Macusi, Buluan municipal police station chief, said no one was hurt in the explosion that occurred about 9 p.m. right in front of the gate of the candidate’s compound.
Nando, an Islamic religious leader, is a vice gubernatorial candidate of United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
READ: Comelec puts Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur under its control
The attack came amid heavy presence of soldiers and police personnel as the town had been placed under Comelec control for the May 12 national and local elections.
Macusi said police probers said the explosive could be rifle grenade fired from a distance but bomb experts are still investigating.
“No one has claimed responsibility in the attack,” he said, adding that the blast site at the gate is about 20 meters from the house of Nando.
“Nando or any member of his family or security were unharmed,” Macusi said.
No one has claimed responsibility for the grenade attack.
The UBJP, in a statement, condemned the grenade attack in the house of Nando.
“This is clearly political harassment,” it said. “We should not be cowed by this act, the more we should remain united and win this election.”
Macusi said the security forces in Buluan continue to assess the situation and to determine the motive behind the attack.
On April 18, Good Friday, three explosions rocked the Buluan, two explosives inside the municipal compound that damaged a car while the other was in front of a water refilling station in Barangay Poblacion.
On April 15, the Comlec placed Buluan, the capital of Maguindanao del Sur, under its control due to intense political rivalries and the series of killings that may affect this month’s elections.
