Malacañang condemns Sultan Kudarat bombing

Panelo said investigation on the incident is ongoing. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday condemned the recent bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that injured at least 17 people.

“The Palace deplores yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon’s explosion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, which wounded scores of individuals who are currently receiving medical treatment,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said investigation on the incident is ongoing.

“According to the Philippine National Police, extortion is behind this dastardly act,” he said.

Panelo advised the public to remain vigilant and report unusual behaviors to authorities.

“While we commit to bring the perpetrators to justice, we also continue to advise the public to remain vigilant in their surroundings and not to be hesitant in reporting any unusual behavior that they may observe, to proper authorities,” he said.

An unidentified bomber, posing as a customer, on Wednesday went inside a restaurant with two bags and wearing a surgical mask. After buying chicken, he left behind the bomb-laden bag under the outdoor air-condition condenser unit situated at the front outside the establishment.

Half an hour later at about 3:15 p.m., a blast ripped through the establishment, wounding at least 17 people, among them six minors and a pregnant woman.

Isulan Mayor Marites Pallasigue, in an interview, said a new extortion group preying on big businesses has emerged in their area.