COTABATO CITY — A member of a government militia was killed early Saturday morning following a grenade explosion at a military patrol base located in Barangay Nalapaan, Malidegao town, within the Bangsamoro region’s Special Geographic Area (SGA).

Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR), identified the victim as 25-year-old Bimbo Malingko Lumambas from Barangay Kalakacan, Pikit, Cotabato.

According to Ventura, Lumambas was stationed in front of the patrol base when an assailant, wearing a black hoodie and cap, arrived on a black Bajaj motorcycle and hurled a grenade at the area.

The victim sustained severe shrapnel wounds primarily to the abdomen and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Following the attack, the suspect fled toward Barangay Bualan in Tugunan town, also part of the SGA. Authorities from the Pikit municipal police station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, Malidegao local police, and the 40th Infantry Battalion promptly initiated pursuit operations to apprehend the perpetrator.

In response to the incident, all military patrol bases under the Army’s 6th Infantry Division have been placed on heightened alert to prevent further attacks.

The police continue to investigate the circumstances and possible motives behind the grenade assault.