THE government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) jointly condemned the spate of bombings Wednesday in Southwestern Mindanao.
The government and MILF Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) branded the series of explosions as "demonic worthy of condemnation by the entire human race."
The series of explosions in this city and those in Kidapawan and Cotabato cities, which killed seven and injured more than 30 others, came hours after the JCCCH culminated a two-day meeting.
The joint statement signed by Brigadier General Edgardo Gurrea for the government and Von Al Haq for the MILF said, "no amount of malevolent acts such as spate of bombings can derail the peace overtures" in Mindanao.
"Those evil-guided people behind the blasts cannot cow our people in our common desire to realize, peace, development, and human security," the joint statement said.
"It can never disrupt or derail the smooth-sailing peace overtures being undertaken by the government and the MILF anchored on finding a just and enduring resolution to the conflict in Mindanao that is for the good of its people irregardless of race, creed or religion," it added.
The police earlier eyed a renegade group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as responsible in the powerful blasts.
Region 12 police director German Doria told newsmen on Wednesday they were looking into possibilities that a breakaway group of the MILF was responsible for the series of bombings.
He said they were not, however, discounting other possibilities as residents had been calling to give information.
The blasts came as the leaders' summit of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) opened in Cebu City.
Cebu local officials were quick to disassociate the explosions to the event in Central Visayas.
Police investigators here said the bomb was concealed in a tin can placed at a tricycle terminal near the General Santos City Central Public Market.
The explosion at a lotto outlet along Santiago Boulevard killed eight-year-old Danilo Sampino Jr.; Jeffrey Mangco, 36; Reynaldo Brigado Jr., 11; Marjorie Dela Cruz, 28; Marlene Megalino, and one unidentified person.
The list of the injured confined at the Saint Elizabeth Hospital are: Harold Calinaoan, 18; Nasser Kanapia, 26; Danilo Capareda, 52; Mangoyo Rodalisa, 20; Bartolome Galiano, 52; Salvador Alimpulos, 47; Rodelio Agramon, 39; Vilma Hanson, 35; Jenelyn Presas, 35; Ricardo Villanueva, 39; Sajid Capinda, 25; Justin Acub, 37; Anastacio Bisenan, 48; and Janica Mallari, 7, all residents of this city.
At the Socsargen County Hospital, the list includes Marlon and Irene Gersola, Ernesto Guerrero, all residents of this city.
At the General Santos City Doctors' Hospital, the wounded include Robert Tubongbanua, 27; Florinda Ciriaco, 55; both residents of this city and Roy Toribio, 37, of Alabel, Sarangani.
The following sustained minor injuries and were already released from hospitals: Amina Mapandi, 22; Roland Macatoon, 26; Eduardo Lim, 51; Abner Persuelo, 15; Rey Asuncion, 44; Perfecto Gadiani, 37; Analyn Gadiano, 32; Mark Miguel, all of General Santos City; and Arnold Reynoso, 31, of Alabel, Sarangani. (Rommel Rebollido)
