One killed, 4 wounded in GenSan bomb blast

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The city’s foundation anniversary and Kalilangan Festival turned blooody Wednesday evening after an improvised explosive device (IED) went off at the back of the City Hall, killing one person and wounding four others. 

The IED exploded while the entire city was celebrating the last day of its festival and 69th foundation anniversary that commemorates the landing of the city’s founder, General Paulino Santos, along with the first settlers from Luzon, at the shores of Sarangani Bay 69 years ago. 

In his text message sent to The STAR yesterday evening, Central Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio said the victim, who died due to serious wounds on his face, stomach and both arms, was only known as alyas “Glen.”  

“Naputol yung dalawang arms ng lalaki. Wasak din ang kanyang tiyan dahil sa harap niya sumabog ang explosive,” Serapio said.

Serapio said the victim was allegedly the one carrying the explosive when it exploded at around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday at the back of the City Hall. Those injured were identified as Joel Navarro, 20; Arnel Tinaco, 19; Benjie Garin, 20; and Melvin Ramillo, 16. All residents of this city.   

Serapio said the injured victims suffered only minor wounds and they are undergoing tactical interrogation by the police authorities regarding the incident.

Serapio said he was told by Superintendent Roberto Po, city director of the General Santos City Police Office, that they have no suspect and motive yet because they are still investigating the incident. 

He also said that the city’s explosive experts are still determining the type of explosive that went off that night.

However, Serapio said, based on the degree of wounds sustained by the victims, he suspect that the explosive was not the type that could inflict maximum damage. 

“Mahina ang explosive na sumabog. Kasi kung malakas pa nahati sana ang katawan ng namatay. Hindi man nahati. I think it was an accidental explosion,” Serapio said.

The Wednesday evening explosion was the 17th to rock the city since May 2000.

The last explosion happened a few weeks ago outside the gate of the Philbest Canning Corp., owned by the wealthy Rivera family. Four people were killed and at least 27 others were wounded. 

All the attacks, since May 2000, including that of last week, were aimed at innocent civilians, who are always the victims of terrorist atrocities. – With AP