Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Authorities are investigationg a bomb explosion in Aleosan, Cotabato that left seven people injured Wednesday.
Police Sr. Inspector Edwin Abantes said the improvised explosive device (IED) went off at 10:15 p.m. along the national highway of Sitio 2, Brgy. Pagangan, just about one meter away from the road.
A passing cargo truck loaded with coal bound for Davao City was hit.
The two front tires and the windshield of the vehicle were badly damaged.
Shrapnel from the bomb hit seven of the 12 passengers aboard the truck.
The victims are the truck driver, Gamay Jamal, and his passengers, Amerol Musa Tantos, Hanep Alipa Ayon, Yahya Kasan, Pahmi Daya Diamla, Johary Amerol, and Salman Tahir.
They were immediately brought to Aleosan District Hospital for treatment.
Aleosan is located next to Midsayap, where another bombing incident occurred on Christmas eve, injuring 18 people.
