Tricycle driver hurt in Lanao del Sur grenade explosion

A tricycle driver sustained severe injuries in a grenade attack that occurred in a residential area of Malabang, Lanao del Sur. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon in Barangay Curahab.

“

There is a possibility that the bombing was perpetrated by remnants of the now defunct Dawlah Islamiya helplessly trying to stir an impression that they are capable still of perpetrating terror attacks to intimidate villagers from whom they intend to collect "protection money” on a periodic basis.

Intelligence officials from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade are investigating the possibility that the bombing was carried out by remnants of the defunct Dawlah Islamiya. Authorities believe the group may be attempting to demonstrate their continued capability to carry out terror attacks to intimidate villagers into paying regular "protection money."

“

The 22-year-old blast victim, Saipoden Esmail Bliss, was immediately transported by emergency responders to the Doctor Serapio Montañer Hospital in Malabang for treatment.

According to Capt. Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the 22-year-old victim, Saipoden Esmail Bliss, was quickly transported to Doctor Serapio Montañer Hospital in Malabang for treatment. Officials from the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and Salanguit reported that one of the occupants of a white minivan hurled a fragmentation grenade into a residential yard. The grenade detonated near where Bliss was walking.

“

One of the men riding a white minivan together hurled a fragmentation grenade into a residential yard in Barangay Curahab that landed and went off close to the spot where Bliss was walking by.

The occupants of the white minivan, who were reportedly heard threatening villagers in the Maranao dialect about further grenade attacks, sped away from the scene immediately after the explosion, leaving the injured driver behind. Local executives and investigators from the Malabang Municipal Police Station are collaborating to identify the culprits for prosecution.

“

The white minivan ridden by the bomber and his companions, reportedly overheard threatening villagers of more grenade attacks in Maranao vernacular, immediately sped away, leaving the injured Bliss behind.