15 hurt in Tacurong City blast 2 suspects with grenades arrested

TACURONG CITY -- Police in Tacurong City have arrested two men with hand grenades and handguns minutes after two blasts rocked this city that hurt at least 14 persons, police said. The two, Waren Gani and Johari Gani, were on board a motorbike and were from Gen. SK Pendatun, Maguindanao. Two mobile phones were taken from them with images of them in fatigue uniforms and firearms. Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat police provincial director, the two claimed they were members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Supiter said prior to the blast at the roof of Dragon Mart and Gasoline Station comfort room, a bomb scare was reported near St. John Learning Center along Ilang-Ilang Street of Barangay New Isabela at 5:50 p.m. It turned out negative, no bomb was found near the school he said. At about 6:45 p.m. an explosion occurred at the roof of the gas station's comfort room. As the police and Army bomb experts were conducting post blast investigation, another improvised bomb was set off at 7:10 by the suspects in front of the gas station that damaged parked motorbikes and a vehicle. It was well planned bombing attack, Supiter said, adding that the bombs used were similar to previous bombings in the region. Supiter identified the injured as bomb disposal team members S/Sgt. Ipil Presaldo, S/Sgt. Menzo Salsalito Manoy, SPO2 Jasper Garcia, PO1 Martin San Pedro, PO1 Eleazar Sustiguer of Tacurong City PNP. Also hurt were 10 civilians who were ambulance driver, a teacher, customers of a resto bar and passersby. Only few have remained in the hospital while others only sustained superficial wounds from cut nails used as shrapnel of the IED. (