(UPDATED WITH CORRECTION) — Ten people are reported dead and 20 others injured in an explosion at the town plaza of Hilongos, Leyte, during a boxing match around 9 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, according to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
“Ten have been reported dead [while] 20 were injured, according to Secretary Judy [Taguiwalo],” the presidential spokesperson told SunStar, when sought for reaction.
Philippine National Police Eastern Visayas director Elmer Beltejar said that a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) caused the blast.
First Lieutenant Cherry Junia, 8th Infantry Division public affairs officer, said initial investigation showed that the suspected IED was cellphone-detonated, similar to the September 2 bombing of the Roxas night market in Davao City which left 14 people dead and 70 others wounded.
Abella said the government is yet to get further details about the alleged bombing in the province.
“As of the moment, initial but unofficial news feed state that there were no (intelligence) reports of bomb threats, nor has anybody claimed responsibility for the bombing,” he added.
Senator Richard Gordon, who is also the chairman of Philippine Red Cross, earlier said there were 31 victims transported to Baybay Hospital, hospital in Maasin City, Leyte Baptist Hospital Inc., and Hilongos General Hospital.
Hanah Aguirre Montas shared video clips on her Facebook account of the victims inside the Leyte Baptist Hospital, Inc.
Edsel Alotaya, a volunteer at Philippine Red Cross Hilongos Chapter, said most injuries of the patients are on the lower part of the body.
He added that one of the injured victims, Giselle Managbanag, who is five months pregnant, was rushed to Hilongos District Hospital after sustaining wounds on her thighs.
Alotaya added that a seven-year-old child was admitted in Leyte Baptist Hospital. Marcelita Abena, 62, also sustained injuries on her feet. Other victims have yet to be identified.
Another resident, Shean Moya shared photos of the area after the incident took place.
Bohbie Flores, service representative-Safety Services of Philippine Red Cross Hilongos Chapter, said he was near the area with his wife Ruth when the blast happened.
“The explosion happened at 9:05, based on my watch. I was near the area. I responded immediately when I reached the hospital,” he said.
His wife, Ruth, said “My husband and I were going to LandBank to withdraw some money, which is located beside the Municipal hall entrance. We were caught in traffic upon passing by Plaza Rizal because there were many people. An estimate of 15 seconds after reaching LandBank, we heard an explosion. I thought that it was just a transformer that exploded. People were running when I looked outside. My husband tried to ask people what happened but nobody answered him.”
She said that they heard another explosion a few seconds after, not too loud as that of the first blast. A third explosion was heard in Eskina Sa Buwan Street.
She added “We received calls that many were injured. And as of now, they’re transferring patients and referring them to Ormoc hospital.” (Ruth Abbey Gita/VR/Sunnex)
