2 killed, 32 injured in Cotabato blast

COTABATO CITY, Philipines  – Two persons were killed while 32 others were wounded when a grenade exploded in a makeshift cockpit in Aleosan town in North Cotabato yesterday afternoon, authorities said.

Police said the explosive was hurled in the middle of a cockfight at around 1 p.m.

The two fatalities, who died on the spot from shrapnel wounds, were identified as Fermin Caloquin and Vicente Sabando, residents of Barangay Lawili, Aleosan town.

Responding policemen and soldiers rushed the 32 wounded victims to different hospitals in North Cotabato.

Lt. Col. Roy Galido, commanding officer of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion, said they were verifying information that some families in Barangay Tonganon, also in Aleosan town, could be the targets of the bombing.

Authorities were eyeing clan war as motive behind the attack.

Galido ordered his men to conduct follow-up operations to identify and arrest the grenade thrower.