KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — A brazen grenade attack targeted the residence of City Councilor Dr. Ted Padilla Evangelista on Friday night, December 12, heightening concerns over public officials’ safety in the city.
Police said the incident occurred at around 8:35 p.m. at the councilor’s home inside River Park, Poblacion, Kidapawan City, when an explosive device was hurled into the compound. The attack was reported to the Kidapawan City Police Station (CPS) by the councilor’s personal secretary, Robilyn Rebusara Duran, 43, at around 9:30 p.m.
Responding units, led by PCapt. Furtunato Arce Jr., immediately secured the area with assistance from the SWAT Team, Alert Team 1, intelligence operatives, and duty investigators. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Based on initial investigation and CCTV footage, police identified two still-unidentified men riding a black Kawasaki Barako 175 motorcycle. The suspects reportedly stopped briefly at the gate of the compound, threw what authorities believe to be an MK2 hand grenade, and then fled the scene.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether the grenade detonated or failed to explode, as reports on the device’s condition remain under verification. Scene-of-the-crime personnel examined fragments recovered from the area as part of the ongoing probe.
Police are also working to establish the motive behind the attack and identify any possible mastermind. As of this writing, no official statement has been issued by Councilor Evangelista.
Dr. Evangelista, a medical doctor and incumbent city councilor, is a cousin of Kidapawan Mayor Paolo Evangelista and a nephew of Senator Robin Padilla—a connection that investigators have not ruled out as a possible angle in the case.
The Kidapawan CPS urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as the city remains on heightened alert following the attack.