Arson try on Mindanao university foiled

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Two men tried but failed to torch an office of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan town Sunday night, two days after a grenade explosion rocked the campus.

Students told USM security personnel they saw two men pour gasoline at the entrance to the university’s College of Animal Science building, said town police chief Superintendent Jordine Maribojo. They left after lighting the gasoline.

The campus of USM, a state-run university, is located in the heart of Kabacan town in this province’s third district.

Maribojo said security guards and policemen doused the fire and recovered empty bottles with traces of gasoline scattered around the building and near the office of Hamid Imlan, chairman of USM’s College of Animal Science.

The university’s security group and the Kabacan municipal police expressed belief the same people could be behind the grenade attack at the USM’s motor pool Friday night and the arson attempt.

No one was reported killed or injured in the bombing, but the incident caused panic among students and teachers.

 The explosion ripped through the USM campus just hours after Gil Garcia assumed the post of university president.

Garcia took over the post from Christopher Cabilen, who was designated officer in-charge last year amid squabbles for the school leadership.