(UPDATED) -- A BOMB exploded in front of a used clothing store along the national highway in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province, killing two people and wounding at least 35, officials said.

The explosion occurred in the same week that Isulan is celebrating its 61st founding anniversary and the Hamungaya Festival, which will culminate on Thursday, August 30.

Isulan police chief Superintendent Celestino Daniel said the explosion occurred around 8 p.m. in Barangay Kalawag 3. The improvised explosive device (IED) was placed on a motorcycle that was parked in front of the store.

There was only one explosion, Daniel clarified. Police recovered and detonated two other IEDs.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said he directed all regional directors in Mindanao to declare a full alert status effective Wednesday, August 29.

“Effective this morning I directed all the regional directors ng Mindanao area to declare a full alert status already. Ito ‘yung tugon hangga’t hindi matapos ‘yung martial law. We will maintain our full alert status in Mindanao,” he added.

Albayalde said a threat group, which is being monitored by the government troops in Mindanao, region has claimed responsibility for the explosion, but police will consider other motives such as politics.

“We believe it would be a terror attack although it's still being investigated. With that magnitude syempre hindi naman accidental yan...Nakalimutan ko ‘yung grupo. Isa sa mga threat groups na binabantayan lalo na sa part ng Mindanao,” he said.

Albayalde said the police received an intelligence report regarding the threat.

“Ang sinasabi meron silang mga information na nakukuha but then again kahit siguro anong pag implement ng target hardening measures nila nalusutan pa rin dahil kapag mga ganyan talagang desidido ‘yung isang criminal group talagang gagawa sila ng paraan... and I think with this we still have to strengthen our intelligence gathering, target hardening measures

particularly in parts of Mindanao,” he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), on the other hand, said it believed that the Bangsamoro Ismalic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were behind the attack.

“We believe that the terrorist group BIFF is the primary suspect behind this atrocity. They are the ones who have the strongest evil desire to initiate this kind of attacks that victimize innocent civilians and disrupt peace...Kung may tunay silang ipinaglalaban, why victimize civilians?” AFP spokesperson Colonel Noel Detoyato said.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, 6th Infantry Division commander, said investigation is ongoing together with the police.

Killed in the explosion were Davy Shane Alayon, 7, and Leni Ombrog, 52. Of the wounded, Welmark Jhon Lapidez, 21, is in critical condition.

Among those hurt were:

Arnold Layog Losanes

Jomar Ali Montero Sacampong

Jessa Claire Villaneva

Reymun Malvez

Ibrahim Bryan Sucampung Bernal

Nassip Gomgao

Romel Uba

Jomar Capulong

Francisco Suerte

Azrel Malvez

Mary Jane Lacson

Serenela Pauline Lacson

Tanate Juduhan

Jenex Acolador

Renalyn Alion

Jessa Villanueva

Cristale Patanga

Marmie Salawangen

Rodel Singhan

Nikki John Peramil

Jeffrey Bacalto

Nestor Ladrido

Rey Emma Blancada

Samira Degaosun

Ansawi Degaosun

Gani Degaosun

Nassipin Acmad

Leonisa Alcaria

Mylene Delava

Ryan miguel Batolo

Leni Ombrog

Christopher Siton

Master Sargent Capilitan

Sargent Timjar Hambali

Isulan Vice Mayor Lord Dean Castillo, in a social media post, called for calm and vigilance even as he strongly condemned the “cowardly and dastardly act” and urged the police to conduct a “speedy and thorough investigation to unmask the culprits.”

“These animals must not escape the long arms of the law, and they must be made to answer for all their transgressions. I enjoin the public to be calm and vigilant, and I implore upon all to refrain from spreading unverified information which might cause confusion or panic,” he added. (With MVI/SunStar Philippines)