Tuesday 30 / September / 2025
Manila: At least three explosions rocked the city of Cotabato and neighbouring Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines a few hours before the country's national midterm elections.
Marine Brig Gen Brig Edgard Arevalo said, "We are still getting information on the latest explosion in Datu Odin Sinsuat as this just took place but the message the perpetrators are sending to the voters is be scared and don't go out and vote. But we are saying otherwise, your AFP (Armed Forces Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) are on top of the situation," he stated.
Lieutenant Teofisto Ferrer of the Cotabato City police said the first explosion occurred Sunday night just outside the Cotabato City hall compound.
Ferrer said the explosion was caused by a mortar fired by a still unknown suspect using a grenade launcher.
The second explosion happened around 1 am local time on Monday when a fragmentation grenade exploded in a municipal hall in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province.
Several hours later, a blast caused by a still undetermined type of explosive was recorded in the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao at around 7.20 am local time, according to Noel Detoyato, Public Affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The military and police are on alert to ensure elections are conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner.
More than 60 million Filipino voters nationwide are expected to elect new senators, members of House of Representatives, and local officials in Monday's midterm elections.
There are 18,000 posts up for grabs, with around 43,000 candidates vying for the limited number of seats for senator, representative to the House, provincial governor, vice governor, and board members, city and municipal mayor, vice mayor, and councillors in this southeast Asian country.
