Eight people were killed and at least 30 others were wounded when a car bomb exploded in Cotabato City in Mindanao Monday, August 5.
In an interview with radio dzBB Tuesday morning, Police Regional Office 12 director Chief Superintendent Charles Calima Jr. confirmed that the number of fatalities has increased to eight as two of the injured had died. Seventeen of those injured have been discharged from hospital.
Reports indicated that a vehicle parked in front of Villa Funeral Homes along Sinsuat Avenue exploded at around 4:50 in the afternoon. Sinsuat Avenue is a main thoroughfare where commercial establishments are located.
Most of the blast victims were motorists and bystanders passing by the usually busy area. Also, the explosion damaged at least six vehicles and caused a fire in the funeral home and adjacent establishments, in front where the car bomb was parked. Other nearby establishments suffered some minor damage.
Those injured were immediately admitted in Cotabato Regional and Medical Center for treatment.
The explosion occurred when the car and escorts of Cotabato City administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi were passing by the site. Sayadi was unhurt but two of her bodyguards were killed.
Authorities are still investigating the bombing and whether it is connected with the bombing in Cagayan de Oro City last July 26.
