Four schools bombed in south Philippines

Four schools were strafed and bombed by still unidentified suspects in Sultan Mastura town in south Philippine province of Maguindanao Thursday morning, a military official said.

No one was reported killed or injured in the attacks.

Jo-ann Petinglay, public affairs officer of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said the almost simultaneous attacks began around 7:50 a.m. with the strafing of the Tapayan Elementary School in barangay Tapayan.

Petinglay said the bullets hit the concrete wall of the school's computer building.

Shortly after, the Tuka Elementary School in barnagay Tuka, the Dagurungan Elementary School in barangay Dagurungan, and the Darping Elementary School in barangay Macabiso were bombed.

Petinglay said the explosion at the Tuka Elementary School damaged two classroom doors, roof, ceiling, and window glass. The blast also left a crater measuring 0.47 meter diameter and 0.20 meter in depth.

She said the explosion at the Dagurungan Elementary School also damaged two classroom doors, roof, ceiling, and windows glass.

Citing initial investigation, Petinglay said the blast at the Darping Elementary School was caused by a grenade based on the safety lever recovered. The blast caused no damage.

"Accordingly, it (grenade) was thrown inside the school but exploded at the playground of the said school," said Petinglay of the explosion at the Darping Elementary School.

Petinglay said investigations are still underway to identify the suspects and establish the motive.

On whether the attacks were related to the coming elections on May 9, Petinglay said it is hard to tell. Endit