LOCKDOWN. Police and military authorities implement a lockdown in Cotabato City following a blast on Sunday (Dec. 22, 2019). Security forces in the city have been on full alert following the incident. (Contributed photo by Murfhy Joy Solano)
COTABATO CITY - A powerful explosion occurred between a local radio station and the Cotabato Cathedral here at past 6 p.m. Sunday while two blasts also rocked Libungan, North Cotabato.
Lt. Col. Romeo Galgo, chief of Cotabato City police mobile force battalion, said the first explosion took place at about 6:04 p.m. just outside a moving passenger jeepney passing by in front of radio station DXMS.
“After the blast, a series of gunfire followed,” Galgo told reporters at the site.
It was not clear if the explosion was caused by an improvised bomb or hand grenade and whether or not it was intended for the radio station or somewhere else.
“Everything is sketchy, we will wait for the investigation to be completed,” he said.
Col. Portia Malalad, city police director, said in a separate interview that 12 persons were injured in the blast -- eight military personnel and four civilians.
She added that the soldiers were guarding the church area when the blast took place.
A Sunday evening mass was going on at the cathedral situated beside the radio station was disrupted by the explosion.
Traffic along Sinsuat corner Quezon Avenues was diverted while the investigation was going on.
Police and military forces under Joint Task Force Central have been placed on heightened alert and a lockdown was up in the city.
Meanwhile, two other suspected improvised explosive devices were also found in the area that bomb experts were trying to deactivate as of 7 p.m.
In Libungan, North Cotabato, radio reports said at least four persons were rushed to the hospital following a roadside blast near the Libungan bridge.
The first explosion occurred at about 6:30 pm, which injured civilians in front of a roadside store.
Police cordoned off the site while waiting for the scene of the crime operatives.
Another explosion transpired at about 7:11 p.m. while a radio reporter was on site airing flash reports. Nobody was hurt in the second blast. (PNA)
