DAVAO CITY (December 31)– Authorities have declared Cotabato City under “lockdown” when an improvised explosive device (IED) claimed the lives of two people and wounded 27 others in a Monday afternoon explosion in front of South Seas Mall in Cotabato City.
Initial reports indicated that the IED exploded at 2:15 p.m in front of South Seas Mall in Cotabato City. It was reportedly made from nails and gun powder. The device was triggered by a cellphone.
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said that while security is provided in the area, they “missed a spot” due to the volume of people who were busy with last minute shopping for the New Year.
Authorities are still conducting a thorough investigation but hinted that the attach could be a form of retaliation when soldiers killed seven (7) members of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah in a military operation on December 27, 2018. –NewsLine