Kidapawan authorities shun public from circulating false terror attacks to avoid panic

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11): Kidapawan authorities shun public from circulating false terror attacks to avoid panic

Authorities here dissuaded the public from disseminating unverified information, such as bombing and other terroristic attacks, as not to stir panic in the locality.

Supt. Leo Ajero, city police director, though has urged the public to remain vigilant on deterring terroristic attacks by reporting immediately to local police or military units.

Ajero made the appeal in the wake of Friday night’s explosion in this city that was mistaken for a bomb attack.

The police official said the explosion emanated from a big helium cylinder tank used for inflating colorful balloons for parties and other occasion.

He said the helium tank owned by balloon businessman Johar Camad accidentally blew up at their residence along Alim St. here at the poblacion area around 7:45p.m. Friday, stunning many residents who were still on their way home from work.

“The explosion is purely accidental,” Ajero said.

Camad and a minor were slightly injured in the explosion.

Three houses, including that of the trader, incurred damage.

Ajero was invited by the police to shed light on the circumstances that led to the accident.

This developed as the town government of M’lang, North Cotabato, has declared a “blue alert” to strengthen public security following the escape of the two Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) members during the Sept. 6 military - police operation in Barangay Dungguan.

Mayor Russell Abonado has ordered the local police to maximize visibility in designated public places like the town plaza, public market, schools and offices. Police and military units were also ordered to impose roadblocks along strategic areas of the municipality.

On Sept 6, joint police and military operatives swooped down on the hideout of brothers, Anwar and Guiamadel Sandigan, in Dungguan village but both managed to elude arrest.

The raiding team, however, was able to collar Jokrie Buisan, an accomplice of the Sandigans, together with a number of materials used for creating homemade bombs.

The Sandigans, both confirmed BIFF members, are linked to the recent M’lang bombings and subsequent November and December blasts in 2014 in same municipality that killed a number of civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=922048