Four people were injured when a grenade exploded inside a residential compound in Maguindanao del Sur late Thursday night, December 4, according to local authorities. The blast came from a rifle-launched grenade fired from an unknown direction, striking the area without warning and injuring four residents.
The victims—Ryan Obpon, 51; Abdulazis Saludin, 20; Nasrullah Unayan, 27; and Jonalyn Mamay, 24—sustained shrapnel wounds on their backs and lower limbs. Police said the attack was carried out by unidentified suspects, and an active manhunt is underway for two men believed to be involved.
Recurring Violence in the Province
The incident follows a troubling pattern of grenade attacks that has gripped the province in recent months. In March 2025, four soldiers from the Philippine Army were wounded after an assailant hurled a grenade at their detachment in Barangay Madia, Datu Saudi Ampatuan.
Just a month later, three grenades were thrown near the municipal hall of Buluan, injuring at least one individual. These repeated assaults have heightened community anxiety and underscored persistent security threats in areas of Mindanao where insurgent and armed groups remain active.
Investigation and Community Concerns
Police and military units are now coordinating with intelligence teams to identify the attackers and uncover the motive behind the latest strike. Officials say the use of rifle-launched or improvised grenade weapons in civilian zones signals a dangerous escalation—one that puts ordinary residents at increasing risk.
Security forces appealed to locals to remain alert and report suspicious activity, emphasizing that public cooperation is vital to preventing further violence.
Residents Demand Answers as Risks Continue to Rise
Despite the ongoing investigation, major questions linger. Why are residential areas being targeted? Are the attacks connected, or part of a larger plan to intimidate communities? With no clear explanations yet, the uncertainty hangs heavily over residents who fear another sudden attack.
As authorities push for breakthroughs in the case, communities across Maguindanao del Sur are hoping for swift action that restores safety, accountability, and a sense of normalcy amid the growing tension.
