ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least four people were killed while two others were wounded in what the military said was an accidental explosion in a coastal slum village near the market of Jolo yesterday.
Dynamite used for blast fishing accidentally exploded about 3:30 p.m., according to Brig. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the Special Forces’ Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG).
“This had nothing to do with terrorism. It was purely an accident,” Pabustan stressed.
Investigation disclosed that a group of fishermen were concocting an improvised dynamite for blast fishing when it exploded. The powerful blast killed four persons on the spot while two others were severely injured and rushed to a hospital.
Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan called for a stop to dynamite fishing, saying it is very disastrous not only for human safety, but also for marine life. – Roel Pareño