Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal emerged unscathed following a bomb attack on his convoy as they were traveling along the National Highway in Clarin town around 11 pm on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Unfortunately, two of his lead police escort vehicles sustained damage. In response to the incident, the governor broadcast a live video on Facebook to reassure his constituents of his safety and to report that nobody was injured during the attempt on his life. Police are now investigating the incident.
In a news release, the Clarin Municipal Police Station reported that an explosion of an alleged improvised explosive devices (IED) occurred near House of Suman located at Poblacion II in Clarin town at about 11:10 in the evening of October 15 this year while the convoy of Governor Oaminal was supposed to traverse the said area.
Accordingly, Governor Oaminal and his security were unharmed, but two lead cars of his convoy obtained blast damages. Governor Oaminal was thankful that no lives were lost in that unfortunate incident.
The Clarin Municipal Police Station has already cordoned off the area, and called for the assistance of the Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit (PECU)-Misamis Occidental and Provincial Force Unit (PFU) which arrived to clear the location, and determine any possible secondary device.
Meanwhile, all units of the Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office were directed to conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations for the possible apprehension of the perpetrator.
Governor Oaminal has survived multiple attempts on his life before. Prior to the recent incident, he was injured in a sniper attack during a Christmas party in Tangub City in December 2021, an incident in which Lopez Jaena Mayor Michael Gutierrez lost his life.
