The 2016 Hilongos bombings occurred in Hilongos, Leyte, on December 28, 2016, at 9:00 p.m. (UTC +8), injuring 27 people.[1]
| 2016 Hilongos bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Moro conflict | |
| Location | Hilongos, Leyte, Philippines |
| Date | December 28, 2016 21:00 (PST) |
Attack type | Bombing |
| Weapons | Improvised explosive device |
| Deaths | - |
| Injured | 35 |
Explosion
editThe explosion occurred at the town plaza of Hilongos, near the town hall.[2] Prior to the explosion, a boxing event during the town's festival was in progress.[1] According to several reports, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) exploded during the match. The first explosion happened somewhere near a tent before the announcement of the winner of the match.[3] After few seconds, another IED was exploded.[3] One of the explosions was reportedly near a water pump at Rizal Plaza.[4]
According to Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla, in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, 27 people were confirmed injured,[1] mostly crowdgoers who watched the boxing match.[5] Two people were in critical condition.[1] The victims were brought to the Hilongos District Hospital and the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital to be given medical treatment.[2]
Perpetrators
editNo individual or group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.[6] President Rodrigo Duterte said on the same day of the blast, that the explosion was caused by rival drug syndicates involved in a turf war adding that Moros were also among the perpetrators. Duterte also stated that the attack could not be done by the New People's Army which had a ceasefire with the government at that time and reasoned that the communist group "has no record of throwing grenades at innocent people".[7] The Armed Forces of the Philippines later said in December 29, that the bombing in Leyte was made by the Maute Group.[8]
It was speculated that the bombings were a retaliation to the arrest of an alleged drug trafficker and financier of the Maute Group in a drug bust operation conducted in the same town about two months earlier, on October 22, 2016.[9]
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, also stated in December 29, that the bombs had "signature of the BIFF".
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Gabieta, Joey A. (December 28, 2016). "27 hurt in Leyte town plaza blast". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
Twenty-seven people were hurt in an explosion in the town plaza of Hilongos, Leyte, past 9 p.m. on Wednesday. Initial reports received by the Leyte governor said a boxing event was in progress as part of the town's fiesta celebration when something exploded. The report received by Leyte Gov. Dominico Petilla showed that at least 35 were injured — two were in critical condition — during the bombing at Rizal Plaza in the town proper. Petilla's office is still trying to verify reports that at least 10 people were killed.
- ^ a b Sallada, Lottie (December 29, 2016). "Dozens hurt in suspected IED blast in Hilongos, Leyte town feast". Interaksyon. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "27 reported hurt in Leyte plaza blast". Rappler. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
Visayas State University student Ritchmon Relente, who took the photograph posted in this story, said the explosion occurred near the tent right before the announcement of the winners of the boxing match. He said a second blast occurred seconds later.
- ^ "Town fiesta blast injures at least 23 in Leyte". CNN. December 29, 2016. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016.
Meanwhile, Hilongos Mayor Alberto Villahermosa said the IED was left near a water pump at the Rizal Plaza where the boxing match was being held.
- ^ "Explosion rocks Leyte festival". ABS-CBN News. December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
This was confirmed by Police Senior Superintendent Franco Simborio, provincial director of the Leyte police office. According to initial reports, several festival-goers were wounded by the blast. However, authorities have yet to release information regarding the victims. The blast occurred before a boxing event during the municipality's fiesta.
- ^ The Associated Press (December 29, 2016). "Philippine: Blast during boxing match wounds at least 23 people". The Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016.
The wounded were brought to a hospital in Hilongos town in Leyte province following the explosion late Wednesday of what initially appeared to be a cellphone-detonated homemade bomb, regional army spokeswoman 1st Lt. Cherry Junia said. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack.
- ^ Ramos, Marlon (29 December 2016). "Duterte: Leyte bombing done by 'Moros' in turf war over drugs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Zambrano, Chiara (29 December 2016). "Maute Group behind Leyte bombing: AFP". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Laude, Jaime (30 December 2016). "Leyte plaza blast: Maute or BIFF?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 December 2016.