Philippines: Three blasts happen ahead of midterm election
At least three explosions rocked Cotabato city and neighbouring Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines just a few hours before a national midterm election, the country’s military and police authorities announced on May 13.
Philippine citizens cast their ballots at a polling station in Manila (Source: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – At least three explosions rocked Cotabato city andneighbouring Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines just a few hoursbefore a national midterm election, the country’s military and policeauthorities announced on May 13.
The first explosion occurred at 10:15pm of May 12(local time) when a still-unknown suspect fired a mortar into an area outsidethe Cotabato city hall compound.
The second blast happened around 1:00am on May 13,when a fragmentation grenade exploded through a municipal hall in Datu OdinSinsuat town in Maguindanao province.
Meanwhile, the third, caused by a still undeterminedtype of explosive, was recorded also in Datu Odin Sinsuat town of Maguindanaoaround 7:20am.
No one was killed or injured in all the incidentsuntil now.
The Philippine military and police are on the alert toensure that the conduct on the elections is peaceful and orderly.
More than 60 million Philippine voters are expected toelect new senators, members of House of Representatives, and local officials inMay 13's midterm elections.
Up for grabs are over 18,000 posts with around 43,000candidates vying for the limited number of seats for senator, representative tothe House, provincial governor, vice governor, and board members, city andmunicipal mayor, vice mayor, and councilors in this southeast Asiancountry.-VNA
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Philippine citizens cast their ballots at a polling station in Manila (Source: AFP/VNA) 
