Explosion in Clarin hit Misamis Occidental governor’s vehicle

The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao on Monday said it has heightened its security measures in Misamis Occidental after an explosion incident in Clarin town hit the provincial governor's convoy late Sunday night, causing damages to the lead vehicle.

P/Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., PRO-10 acting director, said police units have been conducted to conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations in the province to determine and apprehend possible perpetrators of the blasting incident.

"We view this incident with the utmost seriousness and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion," Layug added.

Authorities in Clarin Municipal Police Station initially reported that an explosion of an alleged improvised explosive device occurred near the House of Suman restaurant in Poblacion II in Clarin town around 11:10 p.m. the evening.

The IED blast hit the lead convoy of Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal while traversing the highway in the area. Oaminal and two of his security personnel were unharmed amid the incident.