By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
A grenade attack has struck the regional center of Muslim Mindanao just days before a visit by the Philippines' president.
Captain Joan Petinglay, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Philippines Army' 6th Infantry Division, told The Anadolu Agency that a woman was seriously injured in the blast in Cotabato City on Saturday.
"An unidentified man hurled a grenade towards a passing truck. The explosive was discovered to be an M61 fragmentation hand grenade," she said.
Benigno Aquino III is due to arrive Monday in Cotabato to attend what is expected to be the last State of the Regional Address in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by its Governor Mujiv Hataman prior to the expected introduction of Bangsamoro Basic Law early next year.
The law -- that will legalize the creation of the Bangsamoro government -- would be introduced under a framework peace agreement signed in Oct. 2012 between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, once the region’s largest rebel group.
It promises the creation of a new autonomous political entity called Bangsamoro by June 30, 2016, which will lead to the likely dissolution of the ARMM.
Turkey has a leading role in the process, in particular the decommissioning of the Front’s weaponry. During a visit earlier this month, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pledged to support the peace process.
In his speech, Hataman, the seventh elected governor of the 25-year old ARMM, is expected to give the government and Front's diplomatic overture “a vote of confidence” and mention his accomplishments in reforming regional bureaucracy.
The autonomous region's executive secretary, Atty. Laisa Alamia, told the AA that President Aquino will attend the event and a delegation from the one time rebel group will also be in attendance.
"All is set for the momentous event, including an elaborate security plan for the presidential visit and attendance of foreign dignitaries and key government officials," said Alamia.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law that will legalize the creation of the Bangsamoro government is expected to be passed and ratified “early next year.”
Last Wednesday, Hataman challenged the incoming leaders of the new government to consider the welfare of the majority.
“Set aside your self-interest and that of your family in behalf of the interest of all the Muslims, Christians and indigenous peoples in the new Bangsamoro government,” he said.
The ARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Saturday's explosion coincided with another blast in the Maguindanao region Saturday, but no one was hurt in the incident.
Investigators have yet to determine the motive behind either attack.
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