Security in Misamis Occidental raised after blast hits guv's convoy

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 16, 2023): Security in Misamis Occidental raised after blast hits guv's convoy (By Nef Luczon)

Google map of Misamis Occidental.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao Region (PRO-10) has mobilized all its police units in Misamis Occidental province following an explosion on the governor's convoy late Sunday night.

PRO-10 acting director Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr. condemned the explosion incident in Poblacion II, Clarin town, on the vehicle convoy of Governor Henry Oaminal around 11 p.m.

On Monday, Layug ordered all police stations in the province to conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations to apprehend the perpetrators.

“We view this incident with the utmost seriousness and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion,” he said in a statement.

The governor was on his way to his house in Ozamiz City when a blast hit his convoy while passing the highway in Clarin.

No injuries were reported in Oaminal's party.

Major Jingle Esick, the Clarin police chief, said the blast was a result of an improvised explosive device.

“We have been reviewing CCTVs to identify these perpetrators,” he said.

Following the incident, Oaminal released a video Sunday evening telling his constituents that he was not harmed along with his staff.

The explosion took place three days before the campaign period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election (BSKE) will begin on Oct. 19.

BSKE commitment

Meanwhile, the PRO-10 joined the Nationwide Multi-Sectoral Peace Assembly for the BSKE on Monday.

Lawyer Renato Magbutay, Commission on Election-Northern Mindanao (Colelec-10) director, emphasized that the police have the primary responsibility to provide security throughout the electoral process.

“They must safeguard places, ensuring that voters can freely exercise their right to vote without fear or threat,” he said.

The event intends to gather the stakeholders and other concerned sectoral agencies for the publication of a pledge of commitment for a non-partisan and peaceful BSKE 2023.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211888