4 hurt in North Cotabato, Maguindanao bombings

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Four persons were wounded in bombings that rocked central Mindanao on Monday.

Farmers Leonardo Baclayon, 56; Jerry Cordova, 44, and Ariel Abrenica, 36, were having a drinking spree in Barangay Kulambog, Pikit, North Cotabato when motorcycle-riding men lobbed a fragmentation grenade.

The victims were brought to a government dispensary in Barangay Dualing, Aleosan for treatment.

Balut vendor Dairy Joy Arayo was walking when a bomb planted along the highway in Datu Odin Sinsuat went off. She was taken to the Camp Siongco Hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds.

 Authorities said the bombings could be perpetrated by militants in retaliation for the losses they suffered in recent military encounters.