8 hurt in North Cotabato market blast

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Eight people were hurt in a grenade blast that hit a public market in Midsayap, North Cotabato, Monday night.

Midsayap’s deputy police chief, Senior Inspector Henry Narciso, said witnesses saw one of two men riding a motorcycle hurled a fragmentation grenade at the public market's fish stalls.

The blast injured Kryza Jane Torrejas,13; Virginia Cablas,56; Quintin Trastisa,32; Anne Pocapotan,14; Paula Angelie Masicampo, 20; Rodrigo Cataytay Jr., 31; Bernie Cuerpo, 22; and Charles Monsanto Guhitia, 22, all residents of Midsayap.

The victims were rushed by responding policemen and local officials to different hospitals in the province.

Investigators have yet to determine the identities of the grenade throwers and the the motive for the attack.