Child killed in Maguindanao blast — military

A child was killed Monday night when an improvised explosive device exploded near a police outpost in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, a military spokesman said. In a text message, Lt. Col. Benjie Jao, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said three people — an adult and two children — were also hurt in the explosion that occurred at about 8 p.m. in Poblacion village, Datu Piang town. The casualties were rushed to the provincial hospital of Shariff Aguak for treatment. The gender and identities of the victims have yet to be identified as of posting time. Jao said the suspects fled on board a black motorcycle toward an unknown direction after the attack. Checkpoints had been established on the roads leading to and from Datu Piang to arrest the suspects, Jao said. - KBK, GMANews.TV