MALACAÑANG denounced Thursday, April 4, the bombing of a restaurant in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat that injured at least 18 individuals.
Following the explosion that rocked Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday, April 3, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo advised the public to be vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious activity.
"The Palace deplores yesterday afternoon’s explosion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat which wounded scores of individuals who are currently receiving medical treatment," the Palace official said.
"While we commit to bring the perpetrators to justice, we also continue to advise the public to remain vigilant in their surroundings and not to be hesitant in reporting any unusual behavior that they may observe to proper authorities," he added.
At least 18 people were wounded, including six minors and a pregnant woman, when a bomb exploded in front of a restaurant along the national highway of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday afternoon, April 3.
Police's partial investigation found that the motive behind the explosion was extortion, Soccsksargen Police Director Brigadier General Eliuseo Rasco said earlier Thursday, April 4.
Rasco, however, was not discounting the possibility that terrorism could also be another motive in the bombing.
Panelo said the investigation into the blast was still ongoing.
"Investigation is currently ongoing and according to the Philippine National Police, extortion is behind this dastardly act," he said. (SunStar Philippines)