Albayalde directs police in Mindanao to be on full alert after Sultan Kudarat blast

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday ordered a full alert status in the entire Mindanao following the deadly blast in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday night.

"Effective this morning, I directed all the regional directors ng Mindanao area to declare a full alert status already. Ito yung tugon hangga't hindi matapos yung martial law. We will maintain our full alert status in Mindanao," Albayalde said in an ambush interview.

Albayalde explained that the full alert status would mean that the leaves and days-off of policemen would be canceled.

Asked if police officers from Luzon and Visayas would be needed to augment forces in southern Philippines, Albayalde said: "Wala naman kasi we have enough troops naman doon and we also have augmentations coming from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and SAF (Special Action Force)."

The explosion, which left two dead and 37 others injured, occurred around 8:34 p.m., near a gasoline station in Barangay Kalawag 3 where the celebration of the Hamungaya Festival took place.

The military has blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) for the deadly incident.

The incident happened despite government forces being on red alert amid constant threats from ISIS-inspired groups in Mindanao as well as due to the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, placing the entire Mindanao under military rule.

Albayalde clarified that prior to the explosion, the PNP had left the discretion to the regional directors (RDs) in Mindanao if they will place their respective areas under full alert status following the martial law declaration.

"We left it at the discretion of the RDs. But now, I directed them to be in full alert status," Albayalde told GMA News Online.

The AFP already denounced the incident and ensured that security measures would remain in place in the area. — MDM, GMA News