1 killed, 21 hurt in Marawi city hall blast

A man died while 21 others were injured after a bomb planted inside the city hall in Marawi exploded Tuesday afternoon, police said. Chief Superintendent Paisal Umpa, regional director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the blast happened during a voter registration at the Marawi City hall in Barangay Fort-Bangon. Killed in the blast was 27-year-old Jeffron Navarro, who died upon arrival at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center due to multiple wounds. The 21 injured people were hit by splinters from the grenade explosion. Initial investigation showed that two unidentified men clad in blue and red shirts were seen. Minutes later, the grenade explosion happened and witnesses saw the two men fleeing away from the back portion of the city hall. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the blast was election-related. "Motive is believed to be related to the on-going registration of voters conducted by Commission of Election, at Marawi City," police said. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV