The Philippine National Police yesterday disclosed that life in Cotabato City is slowly returning to normal following a bombing incident on New Year’s Eve that killed two persons and injured 34 others.
Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., PNP spokesperson, emphasized that residents should still remain vigilant as he urged them to report to authorities any suspicious activities or elements to preempt further terroristic attacks.
“It’s a good practice in any crisis management to go back to normal. While we can be vigilant, we should also remain watchful but calm. Let’s deny the enemies of the State the luxury of causing us to cow to fear,” Durana said.
Since martial law is being implemented in Mindanao, Durana said the military leads in securing the peace and order in the city.
Durana admired the people of Cotabato for their resiliency and declared that Cotabato City is back to normal. “Cotabato City is back to normal now. We admire the resiliency of the Mindanaoans,” Durana said.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, director of the PNP Regional Office 12 (South Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City area), assured that the police and military are working hand-in-hand to solve the case and identify and arrest the suspects behind the deadly attack.
Following orders from PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, Rasco immediately created Special Investigation Task Group South Seas to expedite the probe of the incident in front of the South Seas Mall on Magallanes St., Barangay Poblacion.
“In this unfortunate event, the PRO-12 expresses its sympathy to the victims as well as to their families,” Rasco said. “This is another senseless and cowardly attack that had sprung and broke the solemnity of the Yuletide celebration on the last day of the year,” he added.
The PNP Regional Office 11 has intensified security measures and intelligence monitoring following the incident.
PRO 11 director Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales said he immediately instructed all police units in the region to establish and strengthen checkpoints in their cities and municipalities.
Morales said there will be maximum number of foot and mobile patrols deployed, particularly in highly populated areas.
He said all chiefs of police need to coordinate with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols, and to intensify intelligence monitoring and sharing of information with other units. (Martin Sadongdong and Armando Fenequito Jr.)
