Aquino wants possible bombing targets fortified

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III wants the possible targets of bombing attacks fortified as Malacañang condemned the blast in North Cotabato and the bomb threat at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) building in Makati City on Thursday. In a text message, Aquino extended his condolences to the families of those who died in the Cotabato bus accident. Aquino assured the public that the government will undertake steps to solve the incidents and fortify possible bombing targets. In an ambush interview after the oath taking of Mary Grace Poe-Llamansares as new Movie Television Review and Classification Board chairperson, Aquino said there are ongoing operations to identify high risk areas. Aquino said these may include cities and the main centers of population. He said he would talk to Philippine National Police Director General Raul Bacalzo on how to fortify "suspected objects of attention by terrorist groups so we can ensure the safety and security of our people." Aquino said the government will enhance its intelligence gathering and dissemination of information “to the operating units in a timely manner and we are able to prevent as much as possible and the very least go after all of these perpetrators". According to Aquino, there is no indication at present that the blast in Cotabato is connected with the bomb threat at the PSE or if the incidents were committed by terrorists. “I will not direct them to focus on one particular angle. The only direction is to solve and arrest and put behind bars all of the perpetrators," he added. Cotabato bus explosion An explosion that ripped through a passenger bus in North Cotabato on Thursday killed at least nine people and injured 30 others, many of whom are in serious condition due to severe head wounds. In an interview on radio dzBB, Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command, said the blast happened inside a Rural Transit deluxe bus (with body number: 2284) in Dalapitan village, Matalam town, North Cotabato. The initial investigation showed that the bus, which came from Cagayan de Oro City, was carrying about 60 passengers. Bomb threat at the PSE Tension gripped the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in Makati City after it received a bomb threat Thursday, prompting authorities to halt midway the two-and-a half hour trading session. PSE president and CEO Val Antonio Suarez ordered the offices and the trading floor vacated, according to Nina B. Zabella of the PSE Corporate Communications Group. The police and a private security group were called in to search the premises for any explosive device, Zabella said. Presidential Communication Strategic Development and Planning Office head Ramon “Ricky" Carandang said they were glad that there were no bombs found at the PSE Building. “Certainly it’s a concern but we’re happy to know that there was no actual explosive," he said adding that authorities are looking into the incident. – VVP, GMANews.TV