Sarangani gov unhurt in blast near convoy

(Updated 8:03 p.m) An improvised explosive device went off on Monday in the southern Philippine province of Sarangani as Governor Miguel “Migz" Dominguez’s convoy was passing by, local police said. No one was reported hurt or killed. Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, acting regional director of Central Mindanao, said they would determine whether the blast targeted Dominguez, who was on his way to meet Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo" Teodoro Jr. in General Santos City. Khu said the incident occurred about 11:45 a.m. along the National Highway in Malapatan town. He said the explosive was planted on an abandoned red motorcycle. Investigators recovered from the scene of a Yamaha Crypton motorcycle, a hand-held Motorola radio that was used as the triggering device; and a 105mm projectile that was part of the explosive that had been placed under the motorcycle seat. In a television interview, Dominguez said he was not even slightly hurt in the blast. “I'm okay," he told ANC’S “Dateline Philippines." “I was on my way home to meet up with Gibo who is arriving in General Santos City. There was a recycled explosive in between my car and the car of my backup security," he said. Former press secretary Michael Toledo, Teodoro’s spokesman, said the convoy was composed of two vehicles. He said Dominguez came from Glan municipality to investigate Sunday’s assassination attempt on Mayor Enrique Yap, also a member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD. A report from the Sarangani governor’s office said that joint army and police operatives had nabbed four suspects in the assassination attempt against Yap. Last March, Dominguez resigned as president of the administration party, following Teodoro’s resignation as party chair. This led to several defections within the party. Dominguez is seeking his third term as Sarangani governor under the Sarangani Reconciliation and Reformation Organization (SARRO), which has a tie-up with Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Domingez later attended Teodoro’s campaign rally at the Mindanao Polytechnic College in General Santos City where he was received warmly by the administration standard bearer. "Sa pagdaan ng convoy ni Gov. Migz, may sumabog sa tabi ng kotse pero andito pa rin sya sa awa ng Diyos dahil gusto nya makasama tayo (As Gov. Migz’s convoy passed, there was an explosion near the car but he’s still here because he wants to be with us). You cannot put a good man down," Teodoro told the crowd. - with Sophia Dedace/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV