SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur – Authorities are searching for two men responsible for a grenade attack in this town that injured four people Thursday night.
“Manhunt against the perpetrators is ongoing,” Police Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said in an interview Friday.
Ventura said the explosion occurred at about 9:45 p.m. in a residential compound in Barangay Mother Poblacion.
Injured were Ryan Obpon, 51; Abdulazis Saludin, 20; Nasrullah Unayan, 27; and Jonalyn Mamay 24, all residents of the area.
They are now recuperating at the Maguindanao del Sur provincial hospital.
Police are determining if the suspects threw a hand grenade or shot a rifle grenade from a distance at the targeted house, which is next to the national highway.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan condemned the attack and urged the people to remain vigilant.
“This is the act of peace spoilers,” Ampatuan said. “Stop this; instead, help make our town peaceful for the sake of our children.
Meanwhile, two councilors from Sultan sa Barongis town, Maguindanao del Sur were ambushed at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur.
“Wounded was Municipal Councilor Montasir Dimalido of Sultan sa Barongis, while another town councilor, Abdulmanap Biang, also of Sultan sa Barongis, was unharmed,” Ventura said.
Killed in the ambush was Samsudin Manib, 25, also of Sultan sa Barongis town, who is an aide of Dimaildo.
Dimalido was driving his Toyota Innova with companions on board, heading home from Cotabato City when they were ambushed in front of the barangay hall of Barangay Tuka.
His slain aide was seated at the back.
Investigation into the incident is still ongoing.