CLARIN, Misamis Occidental (PIA)—Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Sevilla Oaminal escaped a bomb attack on his convoy, October 15, 11:00 p.m. at the National Highway of Clarin town en route to Ozamiz City. 

The Clarin Municipal Police Station reported that an explosion of an alleged improvised explosive device (IED) occurred at the House of Suman located at Poblacion II in Clarin, Misamis Occidental, at about 11:10 in the evening of October 15, while the convoy of Governor Oaminal was supposed to traverse the said area.

As the convoy approached the Suman Center, the first lead car was disabled by a big explosion, while the second lead car was also hit but managed to continue until reaching the safety of the governor's residence.

“Pasalamat ta sa Ginoo nga walay na injured ug nasakitan, and kani inyong higala, ang inyong gobernador, I am safe and now here at home. Ang atong mga kapulisan anaa karon nag-alerto ug nag alegrar sa maong krimen, and we will wait for any further announcement from them ug unsa gayud ang maong situation [Let's thank the Lord that no one was injured or hurt, and this is your friend, your governor. I am safe and now here at home. Our police are now alerting and cheering on this crime, and we will wait for any further announcement from them and what the situation is],” said the governor.

Accordingly, Oaminal and his security were unharmed, but two lead cars in his convoy obtained blast damage. 

“Ang first lead car na disabled. Ang second lead car, nishatter ang mga bildo ug pultahan apan nakadagan lang gihapon until nakaabot kami dinhi sa akong panimalay [The first lead car was disabled. The windows and doors of the second lead car were shattered, but it still ran until we reached my home],” he shared, adding that he is thankful that no lives were lost in that unfortunate incident. 

He said that the police are now on alert and looking into this crime. They will just wait for any further announcements from the police on the situation.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police-10 Regional Director PBGen Ricardo Layug Jr. released an official statement regarding the explosion incident on the convoy of Oaminal. In his statement, he strongly condemned the explosion incident and directed all police units in Misamis Occidental to conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations to apprehend perpetrators.

The Clarin Municipal Police Station has already cordoned off the area and called for the assistance of the Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit (PECU)-Misamis Occidental and Provincial Force Unit (PFU), which arrived to clear the location and determine any possible secondary device. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)