Philippines: Blast in Sultan Kudarat kills at least one person August 28 /update 1

Event

At approximately 20:34 (local time) on Tuesday, August 28, a blast was reported in Isulan (Sultan Kudarat province, located on Mindanao island) when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in the Barangay Kalawag 3 area of the city during the local Hamungaya street festival. At least one person was killed in the explosion, with 36 more suffering injuries. Security officials have announced that two other explosive devices were found and defused in Isulan shortly after the blast. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing as of Wednesday morning, local authorities have blamed Islamist militant organizations for having perpetrated the attack.

Advice

Individuals in Sultan Kudarat province are advised to avoid the area of the blast, to report any suspicious objects or behavior, and to obey all instructions by the local authorities.

As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to southwest Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago (Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan provinces) due to ongoing terrorist activity and regular clashes between the military and insurgent groups. Authorities advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian, due to the threat of terrorism.