Incident Summary:

12/22/2019: Two explosive devices detonated in Poblacion, Libungan, North Cotabato, Philippines. At least six people were injured in the blast. This was one of four related attacks on this date. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), which denied involvement. Sources also suspected the involvement of the Maute Group.

GTD ID:
201912220005

When:
2019-12-22

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

North Cotabato

City:
Poblacion

Location Details:
The incident occurred in the Libungan district.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Unknown
Name of Entity Unknown
Specific Description Unknown
Nationality of Target Philippines
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Unknown
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Unknown Explosive Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the majority reliable estimates are reported here. This incident is part of a set of coordinated attacks in which both military and non-military entities were targeted.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) (suspected) No
Maute Group (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 6 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 6
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"ISIS terror risk to rise in south Philippines," Asia Times Online, December 30, 2019.
"ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES blames BIFF for Mindanao blasts that wounded 23 people," Philippines Daily Inquirer, December 24, 2019.
"At least 23 hurt in southern Philippine bombings," Straits Times, December 23, 2019.