The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday ordered the Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to conduct a thorough investigation into the grenade blast near a Philippine Army detachment in Maguindanao over the weekend.
“Our police investigators should not leave any stone unturned in determining the motive and identifying the perpetrator of the grenade blast. Lahat ng anggulo ay ating titingnan sa insidenteng ito (all possible angles will be looked into),” said PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, in a statement.
The blast happened just as a convoy consisting of close to 30 vehicles of Maguindanao Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and his group passed by\ the military detachment in Guindulungan town on Saturday.
Initial information stated that a hand grenade was thrown toward the direction of the Army detachment, which then exploded.
“Pero agad makikipag-ugnayan ang ating mga imbestigador sa kongresista pati na rin sa mga sundalong nakatalaga sa Army detachment para kumuha pa ng ibang detalye (But our investigators have immediately contacted with the congressmen and our soldiers to get other details),” the PNP chief added.
Mangudadatu is running for Maguindanao governor in next year’s elections.
Eleazar also directed all police units and offices in the region to remain vigilant and to work with the military to prevent any attacks from lawless elements, especially during the election season.