There are twenty-two people were wounded during the bombings in Cotabato and Maguindanao on a Sunday evening.
The first bombing occurred at Libungan Bridge in Barangay Poblacion, Libungan, North Cotabato, 6:30 pm with at least five injured people.
Report from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) stated that the other bombing in Cotabato, specifically, in front of the Cotabato Cathedral has 14 victims – nine soldiers and five civilians.
In Maguindanao, on the other hand, the bombing incident happened 9pm at trade fair in North Upi town with two injured individuals.
“The bombings in the municipality of Libungan, North Cotabato and Cotabato City have struck another blow to the people’s sense of security who are still reeling from the losses, damages, and trauma of the recent earthquakes,” the North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco said.
“I vehemently condemn these attacks on our fellow Cotabateños. Let us keep in mind that these terrorist acts aim to instill fear and to spread panic,” the governor said, as she called on everyone to remain calm and to stay vigilant,” Catamco added.
Moreover, Mayor Catamco of North Cotabato and Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi strongly condemned the bombing incidents.
“A grenade caused the bombing at the vicinity of the Cotabato Cathedral, while an improvised explosive device triggered a separate explosion at nearby Pedro Colina Hill, ” Col. Portia Manalad, city police director stated.
Respectively, due to the bombings in Cotabato and Maguindanao, people are advised to be vigilant.
“The police and military remain on top of the situation but still need the cooperation of the community to fight terrorism,” Mayor Catamco said.