TENSIONS grip Northern Mindanao, even as authorities step up on tight security measures after Monday's pre-dawn blast that crippled a bridge linking Iligan City to Lanao province.

Deputy Commander Pedro Tinampay of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Northern Mindanao and the regional police command (PNP) are one in calling for a red alert status in all their local unit stations if only to prevent any untoward incidents.

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"Right after the incident, nag-red alert kaagad ang PCG, especially sa station natin sa Iligan and Ozamiz," Tinampay told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

PCG's three K-9 dogs are being utilized in stations of Mucas, Surigao, and Cagayan de Oro to search for bombs and firearms that can be possibly concealed inside baggage and cargo containers as "pre-departure measure" in ports and "as continuing security measure."

Likewise, Special Operation Group (SOG) has been augmented in all stations of PCG District Northern Mindanao, including its Coast Guard Anti-Terrorist Unit (CGATU).

Tinampay, however, emphasized that areas like Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Butuan, and Dapitan were put in blue alert status only, explaining that said places are not vulnerable to similar incident.

"Although hindi pa rin tayo mag-relax, mahirap na pero the PNP and military are also intensifying their campaign," Tinampay said.

Meanwhile, checkpoints have been set up in all entry points in the city, said City Police Director Noel Armilla, chief of Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo).

Cocpo is also utilizing the K-9 unit in all consequential areas in the city aside from putting several police personnel.

"Based on the assessment of our intelligence... the threat is not that alarming in CDO, but still we exercise police visibility," Armilla said.

For his part, Governor Oscar Moreno has instructed the Provincial Police Office to provide a stern security in all the bridges within the province.

Moreno has strongly condemned the bombing incident especially that Iligan City is just a neighboring place belonging to Northern Mindanao.

At least two bombs exploded on both sides of Agus Bridge, destroying parts of its steel beams and leaving a crack that could lead to its impending collapse anytime soon.

The bridge, which connects Iligan City to Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and the Zamboanga provinces, has been rendered unsafe for passage. The first bomb exploded at 1:30 a.m. and the second one five minutes after.

Iligan Police City Director Oscar Aguda said the explosions had an impact similar to that of 105mm howitzer blast.

Others opted to take the footbridge in Agus 7 and walk a few kilometers before taking a jeep to the city.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is still evaluating the extent of damage on the bridge, though a major repair work is needed, Aguda said.