Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal managed to escape death from a bomb attack in the province, the military said on Tuesday.
A homemade bomb struck Oaminal’s convoy late Sunday while en route to Ozamiz City on a highway in Clarin town, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported.
It said the improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at 11:10 p.m. and hit the second car in Oaminal’s four-vehicle convoy. The governor was in the vehicle that was struck.
\”Salamat sa Ginoo na walay na-injure, walay na-sakitan (Thank God no one was injured or hurt),\” Oaminal said in a video posted on his Facebook page after the bombing.
“Praise God for the protection He has showered upon us. I am safe and I am now here at home,” he added.
Westmincom said the governor came from a meeting and was on his way home when the blast occurred.
“We strongly condemn this barbarous attack of cowards who executed unprovoked aggression targeting the good governor of Misamis Occidental,” it said. “Our troops are currently assessing the incident, together with the local authorities, to establish the circumstances and identify the perpetrator/s.”
Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao Police directed all its cops to conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations to catch the perpetrators of the bomb attack.
The area of the explosion, which is in the vicinity of House of Suman in Clarin, was cordoned for investigaion, according to authorities.
Provincial police also encourage travelers who passed by the area on Sunday, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., to submit footage of their dash cameras to assist with the investigation.
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