THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region Davao is on heightened alert following the two bombing incidents in Koronadal City, South Cotabato and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. in front of East West Bank, Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

The explosives were left by an unidentified person in a public utility bus owned by the Yellow Bus Lines Incorporated.

A tricycle driver was injured in the incident and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Another explosion happened at a vacant lot in Barangay New Carmen, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. No casualty was recorded in the incident.

In a text message to SunStar Davao, PRO-Davao spokesperson Eudisan Gultiano said that all police personnel is already under strict security monitoring following the bomb blast.

"As regards security [preparations], we have already sent [an] alert warning to all PPOs [Police Provincial Office], stations, mobile forces in relation to the incident," Gultiano said.

"Rest assured the PRO 11 is maximizing our efforts to secure the region from [a] similar incident that occurred in Koronadal," she added.

Meanwhile, she reminded the public to be vigilant and report suspected individuals.

The Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division condemned the “cowardly act,” which they attributed to the terrorist group in the areas.

“Acts like these that cause harm to innocent civilians are reprehensible, wrong, and evil. The bombing incident only shows that there are people who are ruthless that we need to be wary of. We will exert efforts so that we can identify who are the perpetrators of these incidents and pursue proper actions according to law,” said Brigadier General Eduardo Gubat, Acting Division commander of 6ID and JTFC. (With reports from SunStar Philippines)