By Edwin Fernandez | Philippine News Agency
Police shot dead one of two suspects in the New Year’s Eve grenade attack in Matalam, North Cotabato, during an operation Thursday night.
PLT. James Warren Caang, spokesperson for the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, said the suspect died in a shootout with Matalam police in Barangay Kilada at about 8:00 p.m. Thursday.
Pursuit operations continue for the second suspect.
“The attackers seemingly shifted to the revelers as ‘soft targets’ for retaliation against the anti-drug campaign,” Caang said in a radio interview Friday.
He said the two men on a motorcycle targeted New Year’s revelers, wounding 22 people, including nine minors.
Initial investigation linked the attack to the police anti-drug campaign in the municipality.
Caang added that Kilada village is listed among the havens of drug syndicates operating in the area.
In a statement condemning the attack, acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities will not stop until those responsible for the attack are apprehended.
“I have directed the local police to immediately intensify checkpoints, conduct hot pursuit operations, and strengthen intelligence gathering,” Nartatez said Friday.
“We urge anyone with information to cooperate with authorities in ensuring that all the perpetrators are held accountable.”
He added that the PNP is closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, and intelligence partners to arrest the perpetrators.
Nartatez assured that the situation is under control. (With a report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
