AN improvised bomb exploded on Tuesday afternoon in Upi town in Maguindanao, about 200 meters from a convoy of Maguindanao candidates led by re-electionist Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu on their way home.
Sangki-Mangudadatu, whose vehicle was in front of the convoy, was unscathed but the blast injured Abdulraof Usman, a 33, a staff of re-electionist board member Nathaniel Midtimbang.
The roadside bombing occurred at around 5 p.m. in Barangay Nangi in Upi town while the party of Sangki-Mangudadatu was on the way home after a campaign sortie in South Upi town.
Police said the blast hit a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle that was at the tail end of the convoy and had Usman as one of its passengers.
The improvised bomb exploded 200 meters away from the convoy, sparing the governor from harm.
Maguindanao provincial police spokesman Capt. Fhaeyd Cana said another Toyota Land Cruiser sustained damage.
Cana said personnel from the Explosives and Ordinance Disposal Team were still conducting post-blast investigation. Investigations are also underway to establish the identities of the suspects and their motive.
Sangki-Mangudadatu of the Nationalista Party is seeking re-election. Five are running against her, including Maguindanao Congressman and former Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangdadatu of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.
