Graduation celebrations were violently interrupted after an explosion occurred inside a restaurant in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao island yesterday.
At least 18 people were injured, including six minors and one pregnant woman, ABS-CBN News reported. According to The Philippine Daily Inquirer, they were brought to nearby hospitals including the Holy Nazarene Hospital, the Isulan Doctors’ Specialist, the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital, and the St. Louis Hospital in Tacurong City.
No one has been reported dead due to the incident.
It happened at around 3pm in Carlitos restaurant, a chicken joint in Barangay (Village) Kalawag 2 that is situated along the national highway. Most of the diners were students who had just graduated from high school and were there to celebrate with their families, Bombo Radyo reported.
The blast reportedly came from an improvised explosive device.
Isulan Mayor Marites Pallasigue told ABS-CBN News that she has ordered tighter security in the area.
Members of the Philippine military immediately went to the area to cordon off the restaurant, 6th ID spokesperson Maj. Arvin Encinas told Manila Bulletin. He also said that they have intensified security measures in the entire Isulan town and nearby provinces.
The police are also on heightened alert. Investigations show that extortion may have been the motive behind the attack, Isulan police chief PLt. Col. Junny Buenacosa told Manila Bulletin in another report.
He said the restaurant’s owner had gone to the police to ask for help regarding an extortion threat sent through text, allegedly by a local armed group. He also said that the bomb could have been used to scare the restaurant’s management. Police have reportedly identified the suspects but have not released names.
Isulan experienced two explosions last year, one in late August and one in early September. There were five fatalities in the two attacks and 45 others were hurt.
