SARANGANI - Six policemen and 2 civilians were wounded in an explosion near the Municipal Health Center in the town of Maasim in Sarangani Province on Monday.

The wounded police officers were Police Inspector Danilo Abataya, deputy chief of police station, PO1 Almasir Tingkasan, PO1 Romel Badua, PO1 Sukran Donisa Sugod, PO2 Mark Victor Naya and PO1 Rowell Sobretodo.

Jetphunie Navales, a nurse at the health center, and Leonardo dela Peña, a tricycle driver, also sustained injuries.

According to the chief of Maasim police, the victims were on the streets to provide security as the town is celebrating the second day of Kestebeng Festival.

Based on initial investigation, one of the wounded policemen saw a man wearing a white shirt and riding a motorcycle throw an unidentified explosive near the waiting shed in the Municipal Health Center compound.

The injured police officers were brought to hospitals in General Santos City.