FIVE individuals were hurt in consecutive blasts reported in Koronadal City, South Cotabato and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
The first blast occurred in a passenger bus around 12:15 pm in front of a mall along GenSan Drive, Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Five people were hurt in the incident, with three identified as Joseph Valenzuela, Jonalyn Ferrer and Rosemarie Bideo.
Based on initial investigation, the blast occurred at the rear part of the bus with body number 2108.
After 20 minutes, another blast happened in nearby Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat. From a van, the suspects threw the explosive device in a vacant lot near the area.
No one was reported hurt or perished in the incident.
The military believes that the explosions were part of the tactics employed by members of the rebel group Daulah Islamiyah to divert the attention of government forces from the skirmish that happened in Liguasan Marsh, Maguindanao wherein their leader and comrades were locked in battle with government forces.
The military intensified the setting up of checkpoints to corner the attacking rebels.