POLICE personnel of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) were ordered to conduct a thorough investigation into the explosion in Maguindanao that left eight individuals injured.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar also tasked the local police to coordinate with the military in identifying and arresting the perpetrators of the attack.
“I have already tasked the Regional Director, PRO BAR to coordinate with local military forces not only with regard to the manhunt of the perpetrators, but also in intensifying security in Maguindanao and other areas where this kind of violence may also happen,” PGen Eleazar said.
Reports reaching the PNP chief’s office indicated that the blast transpired in a covered court in Datu Piang town center on Saturday afternoon. A volleyball game was taking place when the incident happened.
No one was reported killed in the incident.
Authorities are still validating if the suspects had used a phone-triggered improvised explosive device in the attack.
PGen Eleazar, meanwhile, also called on residents in the area to immediately report to authorities if they noticed any actions that could pose threats in the community, noting that information from citizens have been helpful for the police in preventing atrocities.