COTABATO CITY — Residents of Mother Barangay Kalanganan and Kalanganan I fled their homes Monday night, September 28, after a reported attack involving explosions and bursts of gunfire triggered fear in the communities, prompting police and emergency responders to launch security and evacuation measures.
The Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO) said it began verification and area-clearing operations following reports of explosions and alleged indiscriminate firing at around 8:30 p.m. in Purok Pakistan, Mother Barangay Kalanganan.
Initial police information indicated that residents heard three consecutive explosions followed by sporadic gunfire reportedly coming from the direction of Sitio Kidopo in Kalanganan I, across the river from the affected area. Authorities said the unidentified armed group allegedly used high-powered firearms and a suspected M79 grenade launcher.
Police said no injuries or property damage had been reported in the initial investigation. The armed individuals reportedly withdrew toward Sitio Baguer in Kalanganan I, prompting authorities to coordinate pursuit and security operations with the Philippine Army and Philippine Marines.
Cotabato City Police Director Col. Jibin Bongcayao said investigators, intelligence personnel, barangay officials and other security units were working to identify those responsible. Police said initial information suggested a possible personal grudge, but investigators were still validating the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
The attack also raised concerns about possible political tensions in the city following the September 14 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections. Mother Barangay Kalanganan Chairman Bimbo Ayunan earlier claimed that he and his relatives were the intended targets, expressing his belief that the incident was politically connected to his support for candidates during the elections. However, authorities have not established a political motive.
The latest incident comes amid election-related violence in Cotabato City, where six people were killed and around 20 others injured in separate incidents on the eve of and during the September 14 polls.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao issued a public safety advisory urging residents in the affected and nearby communities to remain indoors, stay away from windows and roads, and avoid the area until authorities declare it safe.
The city government also activated emergency preparedness measures. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) placed personnel on standby and deployed two rescue vehicles to assist residents who needed to evacuate, particularly children, women and older people.
Bahay Pag-Asa was prepared to accommodate evacuees, while the CDRRMO designated Police Station 4 as a pickup point and coordinated with the Public Safety Office to help secure evacuation arrangements. Medical personnel, including the Health Emergency Management Services (HEMS), were also placed on standby.
Authorities urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic or interfere with ongoing security operations. Police said clearing and pursuit operations, along with the investigation, remained underway as of Tuesday, September 29.