MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Just after a grenade attack in Cotabato City, twin blasts injured at least 5 in the province of Cotabato on Sunday evening, December 22.

In a message to reporters, the military’s Western Mindanao Command spokesman Major Arvin Encinas said two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were detonated in the town of Libungan at around 6:30 pm.

Libungan is around 50 kilometers east of Cotabato City.

Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco condemned the blasts as “terrorist acts” and called on her constituents to “muster our courage and to strongly resist fear.”

“The bombings in the Municipality of Libungan and in Cotabato City have struck another blow to our people’s sense of security that is still reeling from the losses, damages and trauma of the recent earthquakes,” Catamco said in a statement. 

“Let us keep in mind that these terrorist acts aim to instill fear and to spread panic. Therefore, I call on everyone to remain calm and to stay vigilant. We need to muster our courage and to strongly resist fear,” she added.   

Malacañang also condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the attacks, saying authorities are now investigating the incidents.  

“Any attempt to sow fear, hatred and violence is doomed to fail. We will pursue the perpetrators and will harness all our might to crush all evil forces or enemies of the state, as well as their supporters,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Monday, December 23.  

“We call on everyone to stay and remain vigilant and report suspicious personalities and unattended items,” he added. – Rappler.com