Two improvised explosive devices reportedly went off in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Tuesday evening, August 28, as the town is celebrating its fiesta.
Reports showed that the first explosion was at around 8:40 p.m. the IED was said to be inside a bag that was placed under a motorcycle parked near an ukay-ukayan (used clothing store) in Barangay Kalawag 3.
The second explosion meanwhile happened around 9:17 p.m. A third unexploded IED was also reportedly discovered by the authorities at around 9:32 p.m.
In a report by Brigada News FM Koronadal, it said that 13 people were wounded from the blast — two of whom are soldiers.
The news report however mentioned only one IED explosion.
The town was incidentally celebrating its 61st founding anniversary and its 7th Hamungaya Festival Tuesday.
A report from the military meanwhile stated that the military personnel from the 33rd infantry Battalion were conducting mobile patrol in the area when the IED exploded.
The military claimed that their KM450 vehicle absorbed most of the blast thus preventing injury from most of the civilians thereat.
“Mobile patrol ang KM450 carrying our troops. Pinasabog ang IED pagdaan ng vehicle. Daming shrapnel nasalo ng KM kaya saved ang maraming tao. Saved din ng armor protection ng KM ang tropa. PNP ang sector security ng festival at tayo ay mobile patrol,” stated the military report.
It also said that more than 20 have been rushed to the hospital for various injuries.