The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines released a statement on Wednesday condemning the bombing in Cotabato City. The local police said that local terrorist group inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are probably involved in the bombing.
The bomb exploded in front of a mall in Cotabato on Monday killing two persons and leaving more than 34 injured. Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr, Philippine National Police spokesman, said that the improvised explosive device used in the blast is similar to the signature composition of explosives used by ISIS-inspired local terrorist groups. He noted that the PNP is not disregarding the possibility that other groups are behind the deadly attack but, right now, they are considering the ISIS-inspired groups as the mastermind. He claimed that it is impossible that the communist group were involved in the bombing since it is not in their area of operation.
The U.S. embassy in the Philippines said in a statement that they are condemning the recent terrorist activity. The statement said that the embassy also offers their condolences to the loved ones of the victims and they hope for a quick recovery for the injured. The embassy also noted the "longstanding relationship of the two countries and expressed the readiness of the United States in providing support for the peace process in the southern Philippines.
The Philippine National Police Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that the bombing is a "cowardly attack" against civilians. The office of the President assured that they will get to the bottom of the bombing at the soonest possible time. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement that they empathize with the families, relatives, and friends of those who suffered from an unhappy occurrence.
According to reports, one of the deceased is an employee of the Bangsamoro Transition Commision (BTC). The commission drafted the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that is intended to bring peace to the southern part of the country. The BTC released a statement on Jan 1 that Jonathan T. Torribiano is one of those who died. The statement described Torribiano as a "hardworking, humble and peace-loving staff member" of the Commissioner Melanio U. Ulama.
The BTC said that the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as well as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and countless advocates, are very much in the forefront of establishing peace through the BOL. The statement added that they can only view the bombing as a desperate attempt to sow fear in the people of Cotabato City whose great majority is yearning for true peace and human development.
