By Edwin Fernandez, Williamor Magbanua
Inquirer Mindanao
1:36 am | Tuesday, August 6th, 2013
‘TERROR ACT’ Firefighters try to keep the flames from spreading after a powerful explosion in Cotabato City left six dead and dozens wounded along busy Sinsuat Avenue. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO
COTABATO CITY—A powerful bomb apparently rigged to a vehicle exploded here on Monday afternoon, killing at least six people and injuring 29 others, including policemen.
The bomb exploded as a bulletproof SUV, carrying City Administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, was passing by.
Sayadi was not hurt, but two of her police bodyguards in a security van were killed, officials said, adding it was unclear if Sayadi was the target of the attack.
But police were investigating to determine if Sayadi was the target or her brother, Mayor Japal Guiani Jr.
In a statement issued two hours after the explosion, Sayadi said she strongly believed she was the target of the attack.
But she did not say whether she knew who tried to kill her.
Malacañang condemned the bombing and vowed to hunt down and punish those responsible.
“We condemn the use of violence to kill and maim our countrymen who are peacefully going about their daily lives,†said Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
“We’ll hold accountable these criminals who terrorize our society,†Coloma said.
Authorities did not immediately point to any suspects, but government forces have been on alert in the South due to recent attacks and bombings by a breakaway Moro insurgent group opposed to peace talks between the administration of President Aquino and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
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