Grenade blast rocks Maguindanao town

DATU PAGLAS, Maguindanao -- A rifle grenade fired from a distance exploded near a gas station here at about 8 p.m. tonight, town Mayor Ibrahim Paglas said.Paglas said nobody was hurt in the attack which, he said, aimed toward a gas station fronting the town hall in Barangay Madidis.He blamed illegal drug syndicates to be behind the attack apparently to avenge the group's losses in intensified anti-drug campaign of the local government.Bomb experts are still in the explosion site as of posting conducting post blast investigation. Last week, the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion clashed with IS inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in a village few meters from the town hall.The rebel group reportedly plotted to take over the town hall in Marawi City-like siege. The plot was foiled.