Police Chief Oscar Albayalde has ordered the relief of two police officials in Mindanao after a second explosion rocked Midsayap in Cotabato, which followed the blast in General Santos that injured seven people including a three-year-old child on Sunday.
The military has blamed the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters behind the bombing of a videoke bar in Midsayap on Sunday night.
In a statement released on Monday, Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, head of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, described the BIFF under Abu Torayfe as “peace spoilers.”
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday cited the need to revisit the use of the intelligence budget following the series of bombings in Mindanao.
“The first corner is to see where the intelligence fund is being utilized, and that is why I think it is about time that we activated the committee on intelligence funds,” Drilon said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday asked if Congress’ support for the martial law in Mindanao was worth it.
“With a promise of peace in Mindanao, we burned candles to pass the Bangsamoro Organic Law. That after we supported the extension of martial law,” Lacson said in a tweet on Monday.
The two police officials relieved from their post were Chief Insp. Patrich Elma, Station-2 Commander of the General Santos City Police Office, and Supt. Samuel Cadungon, Chief of Police of Midsayap Cotabato.
Albayalde immediately posted Sr. Insp. Davis Dulawan and Supt. Joan Maganto vice Elma and Cadungon respectively.
Earlier, Albayalde relieved two police officials in Sultan Kudarat after the twin bombings that killed five people and wounded 40 others.
Albayalde axed the two police officials following an IED attack at the national highway of Apopong village near two Pharmacies at 11:40 am. Eight hours later, another explosive went off at Theresa’s Video House in Poblacion 4, Midsayap town at 7:15 pm but injured no one.
Albayalde said police operatives were monitoring a certain group that might be responsible for the General Santos blast and the Sultan Kudarat explosion.
He said there were four groups trying to gain recognition from the Islamic State, though they came from one main group having different sub-groups and leaders.
Previously, intelligence reports indicated a plan by the terrorists to attack the Soccsksargen area to disrupt the recently-concluded tuna festival in Cotabato city.
“Just the same, we cannot afford to relax, knowing that the terrorists will always try to sneak in,” Albayalde said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta and PNA