TWO men suspected of planting a bomb in Pikit, North Cotabato, were killed when the device exploded prematurely Tuesday night.

Killed by the explosion in Barangay Balatikan in Pikit were Jomar Palaguyan and Asrap Mohammad. A pedestrian was wounded.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza urged her constituents to stay calm amid the spate of bombings in the province.

"I urge every Cotabateno to remain calm but be more vigilant and immediately report to the authorities all suspicious-looking individuals or items. Your government and law enforcers are doing its best to secure peace and bring to justice all perpetrators," Mendoza said.

Before Tuesday's explosion, an improvised explosive device (IED) was found at an electric pylon in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. The bomb was safely detonated by authorities.