Philippines: An explosion occurred in a bus along a highway in Aleosan, Cotabato Province, morning Jan. 11

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in a Cotabato City-bound passenger bus along a highway in Barangay San Mateo, Aleosan, Cotabato Province in Mindanao at around 08:00 Jan. 11. The incident has reportedly injured six people. Officials say the attackers may have placed the bomb in the vehicle during a stopover. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident site is around 39 km (24 miles) east-southeast of Cotabato City.

Context

The blast occurred four months ahead of the May 9 presidential and other elections. Explosions targeting civilians are rare in the Philippines, including in Mindanao. While no group has claimed responsibility for the incident, the Islamic State-affiliated Jihadi militant group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the communist armed wing New People's Army (NPA) are known to be active and have staged bombings in Mindanao.