ARMM warns vs hoax bomb texts

COTABATO CITY, Philippines --- The regional peace and order council (RPOC) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao  has urged the public anew to be prudent and refrain from passing on text messages about more bombing attacks in the area.

Text messages have been circulating since last week in the city and parts of ARMM, purportedly warning about sightings of powerful improvised explosive devices in terminals, worship sites, and near schools, and impending attacks by bandits.

“We should not panic if we receive such kind of messages. We just need to be vigilant, forward the messages to our friends in the police and military for them to act on it and then stay calm and watchful of our surroundings,” said ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, chairman of the RPOC.

Hataman  also appealed to residents of Cotabato City to help Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. and the city’s police director, Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, in the investigation on the August 5 deadly car bomb explosion here that killed eight and injured more than 30 others.

Guiani, Balquin, and Col. Custodio Parcon, Jr., commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1, released during a press conference here Wednesday the photos of three suspects in the bombing, the worst ever in the city’s more than 50-year history. - John Unson