LANTAPAN, Bukidnon — Authorities are investigating a grenade explosion that occurred Friday afternoon, March 6, 2026, in a farming area in Barangay Kulasihan, Lantapan, Bukidnon, allegedly linked to a land dispute.
According to the Lantapan Municipal Police Station (MPS), the incident happened around 3:50 p.m. at Purok 10, Barangay Kulasihan, after police received a mobile phone call from a concerned citizen reporting a loud explosion in the area.
Police personnel led by Police Major Anthony O. Townend, Officer-in-Charge of the Lantapan MPS, immediately responded to the scene to verify the report and secure the area.
Initial investigation revealed that a still unidentified suspect allegedly threw an explosive device from a nearby field. The device reportedly landed in another field before detonating, creating a crater approximately one foot deep at the blast site.
Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
Witnesses told responding officers that the suspect fled immediately after the explosion and ran toward an unknown direction, prompting authorities to launch a hot pursuit operation to track down the individual responsible.
Investigators are currently looking into a possible land dispute as the motive behind the explosion. However, police have yet to identify the person of interest involved in the case.
To ensure a thorough investigation, the Lantapan MPS requested the assistance of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for a post-blast examination and crime scene investigation.
The EOD team arrived at the scene at around 5:25 p.m., followed by the SOCO team at approximately 7:20 p.m. on the same day.
Authorities recovered several pieces of evidence from the blast site, including one detonator fuse believed to be part of an MK2 fragmentation grenade, six metal fragments, and one safety lever believed to have come from the explosive device.
The post-blast and crime scene investigations concluded at around 10:00 p.m. on March 6.
The Provincial Director of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office has directed the Lantapan police to conduct a comprehensive investigation and intensify efforts to identify and arrest the suspect.
Police also urged residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious individuals or activities to authorities.
The provincial police leadership emphasized that community cooperation and support are crucial in maintaining peace and safety, stressing that public participation is key to ensuring that Bukidnon remains a safe place to live, work, and conduct business.