Mindanao police on full alert following Sultan Kudarat blast

“Effective this morning police units in Mindanao are on full alert status, ito ang tugon until matapos ang martial law,” Albayalde told reporters. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde placed police units in Mindanao on full alert status on Wednesday following the bomb explosion at a night market in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that killed two people and hurt 36 others Tuesday.

“Effective this morning police units in Mindanao are on full alert status, ito ang tugon until matapos ang martial law,” Albayalde told reporters and explained that Manila police units are now under “heightened alert” status following the incident which involved an explosive placed inside a motorbike parked in front of a local establishment in Barangay Kalawag, Isulan.

A full alert status suspends all leave-absences by police personnel and territorial police units must be ready for 100-percent deployment.

Albayalde added that a group has already claimed responsibility for the attack but said the police are still conducting post-blast investigation. “Unang-una mayroon group na nag claim. We believe that it is a terror attack,” he added.

“Isa (ito) sa mga threat groups na binabantayan natin sa group,” Albayalde said, adding that the group is not a new one.

The PNP chief said the incident underscores the need to strengthen intelligence gathering on enemies of the state and improving checkpoint activities in the area.