Alert up in Mindanao after bombing attacks

MANILA, Philippines – Government forces in southern Philippines have been placed on heightened alert following a series of bomb explosions in key areas there. At a Cabinet meeting held at Malacañang on Tuesday, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said all government forces in Mindanao were directed to set up checkpoints and secure vital installations like pylons and communication lines. “Due to these incidents, the PNP and the AFP have declared full alert at Mindanao and heightened alert at other areas of the country. We have directed our offices in Mindanao to secure vital installations and conduct intensified checkpoints," he said. Likewise, Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado directed the Western Mindanao Command and Eastern Mindanao Command to fortify existing checkpoints. Bomb experts and additional K9 units have also been deployed in the town of Jolo in Sulu province as well as the cities of Cotabato and Iligan. The meeting was held several hours after two separate bombings in Iligan and Jolo claimed the lives of six people and injured 40 others. The first explosion occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off at about 7:55 a.m. in Poblacion village along Sanchez Street in Jolo. Three hours later, another bomb went off in Iligan City. Verzosa said they have yet to determine whether the incidents were related, but said the bombings could be part of a test mission by “renegade bombers" or a “show of force" before peace talks “We also suspect that it is possible this could be a test mission by some renegade bombers that have just reportedly graduated from training in Buldon, Maguindanao. We are considering also this could be a show of force prior to peace talks," Verzosa said On Sunday morning, an IED planted at a lechon (roasted pig) house in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cotabato City killed five people and injured 29 others. The night before, another blast caused by a 60-millimeter mortar explosive in Barangay Buayan in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province injured three. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. assured that financial assistance would be extended to victims of the blast. Verzosa said authorities would resume with its post-blast investigation once they have secured the crime scene. He urged the public to remain calm and to be vigilant against any threat to public safety and security. Condemnation Senators meanwhile condemned the bombings and urged the government to immediately track down and punish the culprits. "These cowardly and terrorist acts must not go unpunished," Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said. "As a former defense minister, I expect the police and military to leave no stone unturned in investigating these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice." Enrile, the defense under the Marcos admnistration, said the challenge to get to the bottom of the incidents is even greater today given the current political situation. He said there are now speculations that the bombings were state-sponsored to pave the way for a “no-elections" scenario. Enrile also called on the government to revive peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has been suspended for a year after the latter alleged the Arroyo administration of reneging on a draft agreement on ancestral domain in Mindanao. The military has said that the bombings could be a handiwork of several disgruntled members of the MILF, the largest secessionist organization in the country. For his part, detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Marine junior officer, said he is now conducting his own investigation through his contacts in the military and the police. "Whoever is behind this, they should spare innocent civilians from this obviously politically motivated acts. Apparently ang tinatamaan ay mga sibilyan [It is the civilians who are suffering here]," he said. - GMANews.TV