COTABATO CITY–Police in North Cotabato province said they have alerted their local units following the bombing attempt in the town of M’lang on Sunday.
Several residents called on the police about a suspicious bag left unattended for an hour near a variety store along Magsaysay Avenue at the town proper past 1 p.m. When checked, authorities found bomb components inside a bag, including a mobile phone, cut nails and metal sheets.
“The bag containing the suspected bomb was also near a local transport terminal bound for nearby Tulunan town,” Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato police spokesperson, told local reporters on Monday.
Tayong said the M’lang police immediately cordoned off the area while authorities waited for the police’s explosives ordnance disposal team to arrive at the scene.
The suspected explosive device was detonated using a water disruptor and later found to be made of black powder, nails, broken glasses and a mobile phone as trigger mechanism.
Mayor Russel Abonado said the homemade bomb was meant to sabotage the peace and tranquility of the town.
“The suspect wants to create fear and terror in M’lang,” Abonado said.
Three days earlier, M’lang celebrated its 67th foundation anniversary with Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol as guests of honor.
Go failed to arrive via chopper due to bad weather while Piñol was present to celebrate the foundation of the town where he was once a mayor.
Following the bombing attempt, police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and help prevent violence and terrorism. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
