8 villagers in North Cotabato hurt in grenade blast

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Eight persons suffered serious injuries in a grenade explosion in Banisilian town on Wednesday night.

Jeffrey Salunayan, Joel Amas, Siraduna Pananggulong, Pedro Labosares, Esmael Cañedo, Samrud and Ali, both surnamed Mamukaw, and Pingawi Khadil were confined in a hospital.

Motorcycle-riding men lobbed a grenade while a program was being held at the town center.

The victims are relatives of Sanny Khadil, chairman of Barangay Tinimbacan.

Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzalez, Soccsksargen police information officer, said Khadil, whose family was engaged in rido or clan war, could be the target of the attack.