Lore Mae L. Andong, ABS-CBN NEWS Central Mindanao

SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao - Five schools in Sultan Mastura town in Maguindanao were hit by explosions past midnight Wednesday.Authorities said explosions were heard at Dagurungan Elementary School in Barangay Dagurungan, Tuka Elementary School in Barangay Tuka, Darping Elementary School in Barangay Macabiso, Tariken Elementary School, particularly the Day Care in Barangay Tariken, and Simuay Seashore in Barangay Simuay.The incident inflicted damage on all the schools except at Darping Elementary School in Barangay Macabiso.One school in Barangay Tapayan was allegedly bombed, but the report was later proven false.One of the schools badly affected by the explosions is the Simuay Seashore Elementary School. The computer room of the oldest school in the province was damaged and eight computers were destroyed.The grenade also left a crater on the floor.The principal believes the grenade was dropped by the suspects through the window.Authorities were able to recover metallic fragments, disintegrated blue plastic container, two grenade safety levers, eight pieces of empty shells of 7.62MM and one empty shell of 5.56MM from different areas of explosion.The mentioned schools are identified polling centers in the upcoming elections.Police Inspector Winderlyn Banico, Sultan Mastura Chief of Police, said they could not yet categorize the explosions as election related.However, they are eyeing the possibility that the series of explosions are meant to create fear among the voting public.Some of the teachers who will serve as board of election inspectors in the town have said they are afraid to serve in the upcoming elections. A principal of one of the schools affected by the explosions said the teachers do not want to serve as BEIs because of fear for their security.They will also submit a letter of request to the Commission on Elections for immediate replacement of other teachers or for police personnel to serve as BEIs.The series of explosions happened less than two weeks before elections.In Sultan Mastura, four are vying for the Mayoralty and vice mayoralty seats.There are 12,899 registered voters in the municipality.

SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao - Five schools in Sultan Mastura town in Maguindanao became targets of explosions past midnight Wednesday.

SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao - Five schools in Sultan Mastura town in Maguindanao became targets of explosions past midnight Wednesday.

Blasts hit five Maguindanao schools

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Regions

Blasts hit five Maguindanao schools

Lore Mae L. Andong,

ABS-CBN NEWS Central Mindanao

Published Apr 28, 2016 11:33 AM PHT

|

Updated Apr 28, 2016 07:46 PM PHT

Read More:

explosion

polling centers

Maguindanao

Halalan2016

Sultan Mastura

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.