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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Powerful bomb goes off near Shariff Aguak town hall; no one hurt

Powerful bomb goes off near Shariff Aguak town hall; no one hurt

Published Aug 23, 2020 08:25 am

COTABATO CITY (PNA) – A powerful explosion rocked the town of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on Friday night, creating panic among its residents.

Police cordoned the area at the back of the town hall of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao where an explosion took place on Friday night (Aug. 21, 2020). The explosion, which created a small crater on the ground (inset), but hurt no one during the blast. (Photo courtesy of Shariff Aguak LGU/VIA PNA/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Mayor Marop Ampatuan said the explosion took place around 8 p.m. at the back portion of the town hall near the local police station. No one was hurt in the blast but damaged some structures nearby.

“Members of the police’s explosive ordnance disposal team are still trying to determine as to what type of bomb caused the explosion,” Ampatuan said.

The mayor said he earlier received information that Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were out to “rescue” a cohort, identified only as a certain alias “Koreano”, who was being detained at the municipal police lock-up facility.

“This ‘Koreano’, a high-profile criminal, ought to be transferred to the Maguindanao provincial jail as his BIFF accomplices seemed determined to bolt him out,” Ampatuan said.

“The local government remains on top of the situation,” he said, adding that town residents should remain calm and vigilant.

He urged residents to report to authorities whatever they see suspicious in their respective barangays.

“Suspicious-looking characters roaming around villages should immediately be reported to the police,” he said.

Checkpoints along strategic sections of the town have been set up since Friday night following the blast.

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