ZAMBOANGA CITY – An abandoned baggage left at a gas station in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga created panic among civilians late Thursday.
People fled from the area and police were immediately phoned to report a possible bombing as members of the local bomb squad rushed to the gas station along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue and carefully assessed the situation before inspecting the baggage.
It turned out to contain rice and vegetable and clothing that police said was probably left behind by its owner.
The discovery of the suspicious baggage came a day after Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar urged residents to stay vigilant following a recent car bombing here and the spate of attacks elsewhere in the restive region.
In a public advisory, Salazar said: “Amidst the proliferation of bomb threats, the public is advised to keep calm, but vigilant. Be on the lookout for suspicious and unattended items and presence of suspicious persons and report immediately to the police. Refrain from forwarding unverified text messages.”
Salazar also led the lighting of candles late Thursday to honor the 44 police commandos who perished in January 25 clashes with Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces in Maguindanao’s Mamasapano town, and the bombing here that killed 2 people and wounded 54 others.
“Let us be one in prayer for the victims of the Guiwan Blast and the PNP-SAF heroes who perished in Maguindanao, and their families. Among those who perished in Maguindanao were PNP-SAF members who responded and protected Zamboanga City during the September siege. One of the last memories that we have of them is immortalized in this photo, taken just last year, where they joined the City in lighting candles in the anniversary of the siege. Now, it is our turn to light a candle for them,” she said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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