6 hurt in Zambo blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least six people were wounded when a grenade exploded last night on a busy street in the downtown business district of this city.

The explosion that triggered tension and sent people to panic occurred about 6:50 p.m. in front of the Marcian Business Hotel, just beside the fire department.

Police investigation disclosed that two unidentified men riding in tandem hurled an MK-2 fragmentation grenade which exploded while people were rushing on the sidewalk along Mayor Jaldon Street.

Police said six people were wounded from the blast and were rushed to Zamboanga City Medical Center.

The explosion forced a majority of the malls and establishments to close shop early.

“We cannot tell yet if this incident has links with the tension in Central Mindanao. But the explosion brought impact to the already tense situation in this city,” Col. Santiago Baluyot, Task Force Zamboanga chief said.

Mayor Celso Lobregat called on the media to be circumspect in reporting the incident.

The explosion also brought the police to intensify checkpoints to avert similar attacks.

The police and military expressed possibility the explosion might be a diversionary tactic.

“Maybe this could be diversionary because they (lawless elements) cannot slip their IEDs (improvised explosive device) because of the tight security,” Baluyot said.