Political rally held at candidate's house
Grenade Attack Rattles Political Candidate's Home in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur
Cotabato City was sent shivering when authorities suspected a grenade explosion at the residential compound of a political candidate around 8:15 pm on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur.
Police Colonel Ryan Bobby Paloma, Director of the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (MDSPPO), confirmed that a grenade was found on the property of Hisham Nando in Buluan. Thankfully, only one occupant was present during the explosion, and although the family and bystanders experienced fear, no casualties were reported.
As the authorities responded, soldiers and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team recovered traces of the grenade.
Hisham Nando is vying for the vice-gubernatorial seat with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), a political party connected to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). While he is reported to have faced no personal threats and his family is peaceful, he was absent from the scene of the incident as he was in Talayan city at the time.
The Buluan Municipal Police Station has begun investigating the incident.
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It is unclear whether the May 4 incident is connected to two previous grenade attacks in the area[1][3]. The first occurred near the municipal hall on April 19, 2025, while the second was politically motivated[2]. The identity of the targeted candidate in the May 4 incident remains undisclosed in official reports. Precise information may be found in the local election commission (Comelec) records or official police reports.
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[1] Policía investiga posible atentado por granada a político en Maguindanao del Sur, El Tiempo. [Online] Available at: https://elpais.com/diario/colombia/policia-investiga-posible-atentado-por-granada-a-politico-en-maguindanao-del-sur_0_7203599232.html
[2] Moro Islamic Liberation Front: Gobierno de Filipinas busca defensores implicados en asesinatos y otros crímenes, Noticias 24. [Online] Available at: https://www.noticias24.news/moro-islamic-liberation-front-gobierno-de-filipinas-busca-defensores-implicados-en-asesinatos-y-otros-crimenes-20250430
[3] Congreso de Filipinas trabaja para el desarrollo de leyes anti-terroristas, El Tiempo. [Online] Available at: https://elpais.com/diario/colombia/congreso-de-filipinas-trabaja-para-el-desarrollo-de-leyes-anti-terroristas_0_7203583552.html
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- The grenade attack on Hisham Nando's home in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, on May 4, 2025, could be connected to two previous grenade attacks in the area, marking a growing concern for justice and general news.
- The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), political party of Hisham Nando, emphasizes crime and justice as key issues, given the recent escalation of violence in Granada.
- Gibutyag, a journalist and political analyst from Cotabato City, expressed his concerns about the use of explosive ordnance in political motibo, urging for a more peaceful and just political climate in 2025.
- The ongoing investigation into the May 4 incident by the Buluan Municipal Police Station may shed light on the identity of the targeted candidate and the possible connection to previous grenade attacks in the region, underscoring the importance of press freedom and accurate reporting in crime-and-justice matters.
