Maguindanao Norte barangay hall, health center destroyed in fire

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A fire destroyed a barangay hall and a health center in Barangay Montay in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte on Wednesday night.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Residents of Barangay Montay said the barangay hall and health center could have been deliberately set on fire.

The fire may be related to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, according to local government officials.

On Monday, a building within the premises of the Lower Siling Elementary School in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur was also hit by fire shortly after the polling centers closed.

On the eve of the elections, fires hit the Ruminimbang Elementary School in Barira and Central Pilot School in Datu Odin Sinsuat, both in Maguindanao del Norte.

Investigations into the fires are ongoing.