South Upi mayor survives bomb attack in Maguindanao

One person was killed while four others were wounded in a roadside bomb attack that was believed to be targeting South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular in Maguindanao on Sunday, police said Monday.

Insular was unhurt, and pursuit operation was launched against the perpetrators, according to reports reaching Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas.

Police said the improvised explosive device was detonated on the convoy of Insular in the vicinity of Barangay Pandan and Barangay Pilar in South Upi at around 2 p.m. of January 3.

Government forces from the South Upi Municipal Police Station and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion were able to evacuate Insular and his companions to a safer area.

A report on Unang Balita on Monday said the attack was carried out by suspected members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The report said the suspects also torched several houses in the area. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News