MANILA – Two people were killed while some 15 others were injured in another deadly explosion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Sunday.
An improvised explosive device detonated outside an internet café along Valdez Street in Barangay Kalawag 2 at 7:28 p.m., the Philippine National Police said.
It was still being investigated if the latest blast was related to the bombing in Barangay Kalawag 3 in the same town on Tuesday last week that killed three people and wounded 36 others.
Police identified one of the casualties on Sunday as 18-year-old Jan Mark Lupa. The other casualty, who died early Monday, has yet to be identified.
Five of the 15 injured were seriously wounded while the others sustained minor injuries, said the police.
In light of the blast – the second in the province in five days – PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of officers in Isulan and Sultan Kudarat police offices.
“We are saddened by the casualties brought about by this cowardly act perpetrated by people hell-bent on their nefarious goals without regard for the lives of civilians,” Albayalde said.
Malacañang strongly condemned the latest explosion.
“We strongly denounce the latest attack in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. We are deeply saddened by the death of one innocent victim, per initial report, and pray for the swift recovery of those injured,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
President Rodrigo Duterte “has been kept updated on all developments by the Philippine National Police, which has already ordered its men on the ground to increase visibility and patrol and tighten security,” he added.
Roque also appealed to Isulan residents to “report anything suspicious to the authorities as we bring to justice all culprits behind this dastardly attack.”
The previous explosion raised the possibility of the extension of the martial law that Duterte declared in Mindanao after clashes between government troops and Islamic State-allied rebels in Marawi City.
The Islamic State, an international terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for the Aug. 28 blast./PN
