Pacquiao Saddened by GenSan Blast

Cotabato City (PNA)- Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao Wednesday said he was sad civilians become victims of violence in Mindanao like the explosion at the Gen. Santos City plaza Tuesday night.

”Bakit idamay mga sibilyan (Why civilians had to be involved),” Pacquiao, who owns several properties in the city, said Wednesday morning.

He said he had received a very reliable information that a bomb will be planted in the city.

”I received information that a bomb will be planted in the city, I just don’t know when and where,” he said in Filipino.

He said he already alerted the police after he received the information. He did not say from whom.

Nine persons, mostly students, were hurt in the blast that occurred beside the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Gen. Santos City oval plaza.

Two of the victims remained in the hospital while others sustained minor injuries.

Supt. Rolly Octavio, Gen. Santos deputy police chief, said police investigators and bomb experts could not establish as yet the make of the improvised bomb.

”We are looking at all angles, we are digging deeper into this case, we remained on alert,” Octavio said in a radio interview here.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack that came three days after the city celebrated the Tuna Festival. (PNA) CTB/NYP/EOF