Globe Telecom, Zamboanga City issue public advisory after bomb blast

Police crime scene investigators collect evidence from a bombing site in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. One of three improvised explosives killed a civilian, Lodeto Ybañez, who inspected a baggage left at a roadside eatery in Sangali village, about 30 kms east of downtown Zamboanga. The blast left 8 others wounded. It was unknown who was behind the attack, but previous bombings had been largely blamed to the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 27, 2011) – A day after a bomb explosion killed a civilian in Zamboanga, Globe Telecom issued an advisory late Thursday urging citizens to report to authorities any suspicious or abandoned baggage in the southern Philippine port city.

The advisory, sent out to its subscribers in Zamboanga City, reads: “Inaabisuhan ni Mayor (Celso) Lobregat ang mga Zamboangeño na itawag sa 062117 ang anumang kahina-hinalang bagay na maaaring naglalaman ng bomba. Pinapayuhan ang lahat na maging alerto at mapagmasid.” (Mayor Lobregat is urging the Zamboangeño(s) to call 062117 for any suspicious baggage that could contain a bomb. Every body should stay alert and watchful.)

The telecommunication giant said the advisory was a public service by the Zamboanga City Government and Globe Telecom.

Abu Sayyaf terrorists had bombed Zamboanga many times in the past. But it was the first time in recent years that such an advisory was sent out by a private telecommunication company to warn the public to stay vigilant and alert.

One person was killed in a bomb blast late Wednesday and that 8 others were reported injured in Sangali village, about 30 kms east of here.

Officials said two more improvised explosives - all made from a lethal mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil - were also detonated by the police in the village.

Just early this month, two bomb explosions ripped through a cockpit arena and a pension house in Zamboanga City and authorities blamed Abu Sayyaf militants, whose group has ties with al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, for the twin attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)