COTABATO CITY — The town mayor of South Upi in Maguindanao survived an ambush-try Monday afternoon as an improvised bomb exploded at the back of the town hall past 3:20 in the afternoon.
Mayor Reynalbert Insular, cheated his death as unidentified suspects set off a roadside bomb that hit his black Mitsubishi pickup, but he was in his house when the bomb went off. The vehicle sustained minor damage.
Maguindanao Police Provincial Director Colonel Arnold Santiago told reporters that the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at the back of the Municipal Hall of South Upi Maguindanao.
Police authorities said the driver was maneuvering to past the vehicle when the bomb exploded, but he was unhurt.
“I have no enemies,” he claimed.
Insular told reporters, he suspects somebody wants to sabotage him. Monday’s incident was the second attempt at his life since he got elected in 2016.
On July 14, 2015, unidentified armed fired a rocket-propelled grenade, but missed, while Insular’s convoy was cruising Kilometer 28 in neighboring North Upi town.
Police have yet to establish the motive behind the Monday bombing and the investigation is still ongoing-EOF/Newsline
