The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on full alert status nationwide as it monitors the chain of bombings in Mindanao in recent days.
Extra security precautions are being implemented in crowded areas, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Friday.
She said the heightened status triggers the police to increase the force’s visibility in public transportation terminals and provide bus marshals, as ordered by acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.
“After the continuous bombings in these areas, the PNP raised the alert status nationwide to full alert so these won’t happen again,” Fajardo said.
“We will have a random inspection for the baggage of our countrymen. We have also deployed our bomb-sniffing dogs nationwide to help secure our public terminals,” she added.
In a related development, two children died while two others were wounded after an explosion in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday afternoon, according to a radio report and a statement by the police and military.
Based on the initial investigation of the police, the victims were playing with a rusty pipe which suddenly exploded in Purok Malipayon.
But the 102nd Infantry “Igsoon” Brigade of the Philippine Army said the explosion “was neither caused by any terror attacks nor perpetrated by criminal groups or individuals.”
“Based on the initial investigation, the explosion was caused by an unknown rusty pipe played by the victims. The origin of the said object is yet to be determined by the authorities,” brigade commander Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas said in a statement.
Blasts rocked Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat last week, injuring at least 5.
These supposedly came from an improvised explosive device, according to authorities.
Last Monday, separate explosions in Isabela City, Basilan, one of which was in a bus terminal, saw three people hurt.
Fajardo said they already have a lead on the bombings, and that police believes the bombings in the region were linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, while the Basilan explosion was supposedly linked to the “remnants of Abu Sayyaf.”