1 dead, 5 wounded in North Cotabato roadside bombing

NORTH COTABATO , Philippines — An ambulant fruit vendor was killed and five others were wounded in an explosion that hit a bus in Tulunan town yesterday.

Col. Henry Villar, North Cotabato police director, said Gina Paunan died on the way to a hospital.

Rodel Secur, Kent Sendero, Ryan Panibayo, Eduard Odango and Ritchie Pedroso were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Initial reports showed the explosion occurred while the bus was passing along the highway in Barangay Sibsib.

“This is an act of terror. My administration will help the police put closure to this incident,” North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco, chairperson of the provincial peace and order council, said.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander, said members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters could be behind the attack.