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M’LANG, North Cotabato (MindNews/31 Dec) – One person was killed while 25 others were injured when an improvised bomb exploded at the public market here at around 3:45 p.m. December 31.
The explosion occurred between Cuerpo Store and Sammy Mini Grocery, Maj. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division said, quoting reports from the municipal administrator.
This is the second bombing in two months in M’lang. On November 23, two persons were killed and 25 others were injured when a bomb exploded in front of a restaurant at the plaza.
In a six-paragraph press statement, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza assured the public they will exhaust “all efforts in bringing these cowards into the folds of law and prevent similar occurrences in the future.”
She asked officials of M’lang “to strengthen their resolve in protecting our people from further barbarism” and added that the provincial government has mobilized concerned government agencies “to fast track clearing operations and ensure that appropriate charges are filed against the perpetrators.”
The governor assured affected families that “all forms of assistance will be provided.”
She warned the perpetrators that what they did “will not discourage the provincial leadership in its pursuit of a peaceful North Cotabato,” adding that the perpetrators’ “outright disrespect to every Cotabateño will end sooner than later.” (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)