By Manny Pinol
Terrorists believed to belong to the Islamic extortion group Al Khobar struck anew in the town of M’lang in North Cotabato today, planting an improvised explosive device in the crowded public market at about 3 p.m. which exploded killing a bakery helper and injuring 35 others.
It was the second bombing incident in less than two months for the town located near the periphery of Liguasan Marsh where members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continues to operate in spite of the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF.
On Nov. 23, two IEDs exploded near the town plaza killing three youngsters and wounding over 20 others.
M’lang Acting Mayor Russel Abonado said the lone fatality was a mother of three who decided to work overtime today to earn extra money for the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration.
Abonado, who is the incumbent vice mayor of the town and acting as mayor in the absence of municipal mayor Joselito Pinol who is on leave, identified the fatality as Kristine Sol Salo.
The complete list of the victims, including the lone fatality:
1. JUNGCO, CHARMAINE
2. DEDALAN, JENNELYN
3. BERONDO, ALFRED
4. DUAZON, HELEN
5. BUENAFLOR, ROSALIE
6. SALO, REY JR.
7. SALO, MARY FE
8. TUBE, JONATHAN
9. TASIS, ARLYN
10. SALO, KRISTINE SOL – DOA
11. GUADALUPE, GILBERT
12. PANTE, CANDIDA
13. SUELO, ZENAIDA
14. GALLO, SUSAN
15. NAVASQUEZ, LIBERITO
16. MARTIN, MICHELLE
17. LANGAMEN, CESARIO
18. PROTACIO, FELIX
19. GEARO, JEORGE
20. JAWOD, JOHN CEDRICK
21. JAWOD, GEORGE CLYDE
22. JAWOD, SHIRLEY
23. CONDINO, NILO
24. SALO, MARILYN
25. BUENAFE, LIZA MAE
26. SALAZAR, JOAN MAE
27. MARFIL, JONALYN
28. BORGONIOS, MARILYN
29. PROTACIO, IVY
30. CUERPO, JESUS JR.
31. MAQUIRANG, JOLET
32. MACUNAN, JENNELYN
33. BOSQUE, KIM MARK
34. BELARDO, PRINCESS
35. NAPAT, TERESITA
36. GERSABA, ANAMARIE
Mayor Pinol, who is in his wife’s hometown in Paniqui, Tarlac for a Christmas break with his family, said he was cutting short his leave and will be coming home tomorrow to attend to the latest terrorist attack on his town.
The bombing today came a day after a suspect in the Nov. 23 bombing was arrested by operatives of the regional police investigating body
The suspect, who was not identified, was brought to the regional police headquarters where he is being detained and investigated.
(Photo credit: Eric Lacson, Taga M’lang Takon)
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