ZAMBOANGA CITY–The public should remain calm but vigilant to help authorities prevent violent incidents in this city.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Wednesday issued the advice following the powerful explosion that killed two people and injured 37 others, including two soldiers, on Tuesday night in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
The bomb-laden motorcycle parked beside a row of second-hand clothing stalls in Barangay Kalawag 3, Sultan Kudarat exploded at 8:34 p.m. Tuesday while the town is celebrating its foundation day and its Hamungaya Festival, which began Monday and set to conclude on Thursday.
Salazar called on the residents to immediately report the presence of people acting suspiciously in their respective communities.
The mayor urged the public to also report items, as well as abandoned or unattended vehicles, in their area to forestall any untoward incident.
She said the public should complement the security measures adopted by the local police and military authorities to protect the city from possible atrocities by lawless elements, such as the Abu Sayyaf.
Part of the security measures the police are imposing is the “No ID, No Entry” policy for all persons heading to the downtown area.
People traveling without identification cards are required to submit names and address at the checkpoint before they are allowed entry to the city proper.
“While police and military authorities are doing their utmost best to keep our city safe, it is also the responsibility of the residents to support and cooperate with security measures implemented,” Salazar said. Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA-northboundasia.com