Police and military have continued the strict security checkpoints in the city following two explosions in Maguindanao and a bomb attempt in Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday afternoon.
Also, authorities have advised the public to immediately report to them if they observe any suspicious person or group or unattended things in their community.
Security in the city has been placed to maximum level since Aug. 1 due to the annual Kadayawan festival, which is set to last until the end of the month.
“We have deployed a larger number of security forces on the ground to check on any threat in our City,” said Col. Alexander Tagum, the director of Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
“We maintain same level of alertness,” said Col. Consolito Yecla, the commander of Task Force Davao.
On Tuesday afternoon, two soldiers were wounded in an explosion in Barangay Bakat, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.
Troopers of the 57th Infantry Battalion were conducting security operation around 1:00 p.m. when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded, hitting PFC Narciso Monreal on his legs and stomach and Sgt. Archie Dema-ala on his arms.
The wounded soldiers were immediately brought at a hospital in Midsayap, North Cotabato for medical treatment. They were declared out of danger and were brought to Camp Siongco Station Hospital for their recuperation.
The second IED explosion happened in Barangay Brar, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao at 7:25 p.m. No one was reported hurt during the blast.
Troopers of the 90th Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) found another unexploded IED at 10:25 p.m. near bomb site. The IED was disrupted without causing any harm to the residents in the area.
“The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are responsible for the series of bombing in Maguindanao as a result of our intensive military operation against the terror and lawless groups that are trying to disrupt the peace and security in Maguindanao,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdadao Carreon, 6th Infantry Division commander.
Another suspected IED was recovered at Crossing Sigbul, Barangay Sadsalan, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat yesterday morning. Two men riding a motorcycle left a sack at the roadside as they evaded a military and police checkpoint.
The government troopers noticed that the riders turned back and threw the sack at the roadside, some 150 meters away from the checkpoint area.
Troopers of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and PNP-Lambayong found out that the sack contained an 81mm mortar.
“The mortar is believed to be used in making improvised explosive devices by the terror group in Mindanao,” Carreon said.
