10 remaining hospitalized victims in Cotabato blast out of danger, says police

Ten victims of the bombing incident at a mall in Cotabato City remain hospitalized but have been declared out of danger, police said on Tuesday.

"Ligtas na po sila lahat. Although may sampung remaining confined, but according to attending physicians ay ligtas na po lahat 'yung sampu," said Police Regional Office-12 public information officer Superintendent Alvin Gonzales in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

An improvised explosive device (IED) went off in front of South Seas mall near stalls selling firecrackers on Monday afternoon.

According to Gonzales, two were killed while 34 others were injured in the explosion.

Another IED was defused by authorities on the second floor of the establishment. 

The investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators of the attack but the military was initially eyeing the Daulah Islamiyah and other terrorist groups as possible suspects.

Gonzales said that tight security operations and checkpoints are continuously being implemented in the area.

The  Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said that Mindanao's security situation is in "a much better shape now" despite recent bombings. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News