THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City) has activated special investigation task group (SITG) South Seas to track down the perpetrators of the Dec. 31 bombing at a shopping mall in Cotabato City.
PRO-SOCCSKSARGEN Director Eliseo T. Rasco, in a statement on Wednesday, said they are working with the military and other government agencies for the “speedy solution” of the “terrorist act” that left two people dead and 34 others injured.
Philippine National Police chief Oscar D. Albayalde earlier ordered the creation of the SITG to focus on the blast that took place at the South Seas Mall at around 1:49 p.m. last Monday.
Mr. Rasco said the SITG-South Seas aims to “bring the suspects to justice and put them behind bars.”
Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, in an earlier statement, described the incident as “not just another terroristic act but an act against humanity. I cannot fathom how such evil exists in this time of merry making of our fellow Cotabatenios.”
The military, for its part, said it is on top of the situation following the bombing of a shopping mall in Cotabato City on New Year’s Eve.
“Our field units are already monitoring all threat groups and contingency measures are already in place to prevent terror attacks that could endanger both Filipinos and foreigners and affect economic activities, said AFP chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr. “Internal security operations are also ongoing to pursue known targets, suppress armed groups, and protect communities all over the country.”
REACTION TO UK ADVISORY
Mr. Madrigal also said, “The Armed Forces of the Philippines respects (the) United Kingdom’s issuance of a travel advisory to warn its citizen on the possibility of terror attacks in some parts of the country.”
For his part, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said “it is not right to generalize” the threats in Mindanao.
“It is not right to generalize the existence of threat in the whole of Mindanao. We admit the existence of terror groups and CPP/NPA/NDF but they are isolated in certain areas of Mindanao only and the National Intel Community issues periodic advisory,” said Mr. Año, a retired AFP chief.
“Under martial law, the LGUs, AFP,and PNP are doing their best to ensure the protection and safety of all tourists and constituents. We will intensify military and police operations in those concerned/affected areas of Mindanao,” Mr. Año also said, referring to the state of Mindanao under martial rule since 2017. The military has been pushing for its extension anew, on the face of persistent terror threats.
For his part, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said, “No, we don’t have indications that there will be other bombings. The British advisory is an automatic and default warning of governments to their nationals like we also do when these things happen in other countries.”
He added, “It is normal and ordinary. We hear about these advisories all the time.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo, for his part, said, “Authorities are already investigating the incident. In the meantime, we call on everyone not to speculate as this may only sow unnecessary fear and panic among our people.”
And the United States Embassy, for its part, said in a statement, “The United States and the Philippines are longstanding #FriendsPartnersAllies, and we stand ready to provide continued support for the peace process in the southern Philippines.” — reports by Tajallih S. Basman and Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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