Philippine citizens cast their ballots at a polling station in Manila (Source: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – 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.
The first explosion occurred at 10:15pm of May 12 (local time) when a still-unknown suspect fired a mortar into an area outside the 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 Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province.
Meanwhile, the third, caused by a still undetermined type of explosive, was recorded also in Datu Odin Sinsuat town of Maguindanao around 7:20am.
No one was killed or injured in all the incidents until now.
The Philippine military and police are on the alert to ensure that the conduct on the elections is peaceful and orderly.
More than 60 million Philippine voters are expected to elect new senators, members of House of Representatives, and local officials in May 13's midterm elections.
Up for grabs are over 18,000 posts with around 43,000 candidates vying for the limited number of seats for senator, representative to the House, provincial governor, vice governor, and board members, city and municipal mayor, vice mayor, and councilors in this southeast Asian country.-VNA
VNA
