COTABATO CITY — One man was injured in an explosion reported at around 8 p.m. Sunday, September 13, in Purok Amirol, Barangay Mother Kalanganan, Cotabato City, just a day before the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election (BPE) on Monday, September 14.
Based on the initial report of Police Station 4 (PS4) of the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), a concerned citizen contacted the police station at around 8:05 p.m. to report the incident.
PS4 personnel, led by Station Commander Police Major Eduardo M. Malicdem, immediately responded and arrived at the area at around 8:10 p.m. to investigate.
Police identified the injured man as Zainodin Sapal Macabuat, a resident of Poblacion 1, Cotabato City.
According to the initial investigation, Macabuat was in the area waiting for his construction foreman when he allegedly saw a flash of white light, followed by a loud explosion.
The blast reportedly caused him to drop to the ground. He was later found to have sustained injuries and was brought to a hospital for medical attention.
Initial reports had indicated that the incident may have involved a hand grenade. However, authorities have yet to establish the exact nature and source of the explosive that caused the blast.
Police have also yet to identify a suspect in the incident.
The motive behind the explosion remains unknown, and investigators are continuing to determine what happened immediately before and during the blast.
Meanwhile, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of Cotabato City conducted a clearing operation in the area to ensure that the vicinity was safe and to examine possible evidence or indications of the source of the explosion.
The incident occurred just hours before the September 14 BARMM Parliamentary Election, when voters across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are scheduled to elect members of the region’s first parliament.
The timing of the explosion has heightened attention to security in Cotabato City, but authorities have not established any connection between the incident and the upcoming elections.
Police continue to investigate the incident, including the type of explosive involved, the circumstances surrounding the blast, the identity of any possible suspect, and the motive behind the incident.
Further details are expected as investigators complete their assessment and authorities release additional information.