At least 22 people, mostly youths, were injured after a grenade exploded inside a family compound in Purok Ipil-Ipil, Barangay Dalapitan, Matalam town in North Cotabato at around midnight during New Year celebrations, as reported by RH Jun Dimacutac.

Initial reports from the Matalam Municipal Police Station indicated that residents were gathered at the Alejo family compound to welcome the New Year when an explosive device, believed to be a grenade, suddenly went off.

Witnesses told authorities that the grenade was allegedly thrown by unidentified men riding a single motorcycle, who immediately fled the scene after the explosion.

The injured victims, all reported to be young individuals, were rushed to various hospitals in the towns of M’lang and Kidapawan City for medical treatment.

Police and military forces are continuing pursuit operations to locate and arrest the suspects. The Matalam police have also coordinated with neighboring municipalities to conduct dragnet operations as part of efforts to corner those responsible for the attack.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the incident and to identify the perpetrators.