2 killed, 12 hurt in Maguindanao grenade blast

Two people were killed, while 12 others were injured in a grenade explosion during a meeting of local candidates in Maguindanao and their supporters in Datu Odin Sinsuat town Wednesday night. A police official said the blast instantly killed a certain Haron Gulot and inflicted serious injuries to another identified as Mon Kaital, who eventually died while undergoing treatment at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center. Senior Superintendent Alex Lineses, director of the Maguindanao Police, also said that an investigation is being done to determine if the attack was politically motivated. Lineses said brothers Abraham and Montaser Sabal were holding a meeting with their supporters in a family-owned Awang Hillside Resort in Datu Odin town, when an unidentified man lobbed a grenade at the group around 9 p.m. The Sabal brothers (former policemen) are seeking elective posts in Maguindanao. Montaser is running for mayor of Sultan Sumagka, while Abraham is his running mate. Those injured were Norambal Lauban, Cuismalon Amir Sali, Daili Lauban, Muslimin Haron, Blah Salih, Mike Manilopal, Suaib Ali, Datu Ali Kamid, Noras Abdilah, Maitan Rosa, Junjun Utto and Mohammad Abdul Latip, Lineses said. "It is too early to say if this is politically motivated but the investigation is on-going. The two brothers are cooperating," he added. Maguindanao is one of the areas in the country the police tag as election hotspots due to the province's history of violence and intense political rivalry. — with a report by Amita Legaspi/LBG, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV