COTABATO CITY — Police and explosive ordnance personnel secured a suspected M203 grenade found outside the Philippine Statistics Authority–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSA-BARMM) office in Poblacion 4, Cotabato City, on the morning of September 23.
The suspicious object was discovered at around 7 a.m. in front of the PSA-BARMM office, prompting an immediate response from the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO).
Police personnel quickly secured and cordoned off the area while awaiting the arrival of the Cotabato City Explosive and Canine Unit (CECU-BAR) to determine whether the object posed a danger to people in the vicinity.
Upon inspection, CECU-BAR personnel identified the object as a suspected M203 grenade and safely secured it for proper custody and disposition.
By around 8:10 a.m., the bomb disposal team declared the area safe and cleared, allowing normal activities in the vicinity to resume.
No injuries or property damage were reported in connection with the discovery.
The incident has nevertheless prompted authorities to intensify their efforts to determine how the suspected grenade ended up outside the government office and who may have left it there.
The CCPO said an investigation remains ongoing, including efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the discovery and determine whether the grenade was deliberately placed in the area.
Authorities also urged residents, government employees and other members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious objects to the police rather than attempting to inspect, move or handle them.
The discovery comes as another reminder of the need for public vigilance around government facilities and other areas where large numbers of people regularly pass or gather.
Police have yet to announce any suspect or motive in connection with the incident.
The investigation is continuing.