North Cotabato blast could have been devastating – affected property owner

The explosion in Midsayap town in North Cotabato early Wednesday could have been deadly and devastating, the owner of a radio station located on the second floor of the building damaged by the blast said.

“Kung nagkataon po 'yan na open [at] 7:00 a.m. nangyari 'yan marami pong tao talaga diyan ang [mapapahamak dahil maraming] gumagamit ng kanilang establisyamento,” WOW Radio station owner Rolly Sacdalan said in an interview on “News to Go.”

No one was reported hurt in the blast which occurred around 3:30 a.m. but it destroyed the roll up gates of the pawnshop at the ground floor of the building.

The glass windows of nearby establishments were also shattered by the impact of the blast that took place at a waiting shed just in front of the building.

Sacdalan noted the waiting shed is where the customers of a pawnshop in the same building linger before business hours.

He also gave credit to the police force for quickly cordoning off the area and scanning the place for clues on the type of bomb used.

He said authorities have already found shrapnel in the blast site.

“Although it's not yet official, it's leading to parang the usual na ginagamit sa area ng Central Mindanao, is yung mortar po ang usually ginagamit,” Sacdalan said.

No direct threats

Sacdalan said their radio station didn't receive any threat, but he said the police force and army had received a tip that a bomb threat was imminent.

“They will place IED (improvised explosive device) ang ilalagay daw sa mga bayan ng Midsayap in general. Walang specific place but sabi bobombahin daw ang bayan,” Sacdalan said.

He said situation is tense, with people asking if there will be a curfew implemented or if there will be classes.

Sacdalan noted there had been harassment in the previous weeks by rebels in the outskirts of town where at least one was killed.

All establishments in the blast site are currently closed while investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and motive of the incident. — Andrei Medina /LBG, GMA News