4 killed in Lanao del Sur explosion

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — Four wild boar hunters were killed in a powerful explosion that occurred in the jungles of Madalum town in this province on Sunday.

Francis Alcaba, 32; Lito Angcap, 22; Nito Bacayan, 22, and Leo Baloro, 24, all of Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, died at the scene due to severe injuries, according to Maj. Salman Saad, spokesman for the provincial police.

Residents speculated the victims might have accidentally stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by members of the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya who are hiding in the area.

Police and military intelligence units are validating information that the victims were seized by the terrorists and killed with an IED set off from a distance.

The Lanao del Sur police tapped the help of the local officials in resolving the case, according to Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, chief of the Bangsamoro regional police.