MISAMIS OCC GOV SURVIVES SLAY TRY

MISAMIS Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal and two of his security escorts survived a bomb attack in Bgy. Lapasan in Clarin town, the military on Thursday said.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo said the governor was on his way home to Ozamiz City from a meeting when an improvised explosive device went off in Bgy. Lapasan, Clarin municipality at 11 p.m on Sunday.

The improvised explosive device hit the second car in Oaminal’s four-vehicle convoy. The governor was in the vehicle that was struck.

“Salamat sa Ginoo na walay na-injure, walay na-sakitan (Thank God no one was injured or hurt),” Oaminal said in a video posted on his Facebook page after the bombing.

Crespillo said Oaminal and his two police escorts were unharmed, but the window on the driver’s side of their vehicle was shattered. The door bore bullet holes.

The military official strongly condemned the attack as he appealed to the public to remain calm.

Crespillo assured that they are conducting combat and non-combat operations to ensure the security of residents.

Meanwhile, the Northern Mindanao Police directed all its cops to conduct checkpoint and dragnet operations to arrest the suspects.