Cotabato gov’t offers P500K reward for arrest of mall blast perpetrators 

Photos courtesy of Police Regional Office 12

MANILA, Philippines — The photos of the primary suspects in the recent blast in a mall in Cotabato City have been released by the local police and the local government is offering P500,000 reward for their arrest.

The Police Regional Office 12 said on Saturday that two men were tagged as the perpetrators behind the detonation of an improvised explosive device in front of the South Seas Mall last Dec. 31.

According to Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, chief of the Public Information Office of PNP Region 12, the guy wearing the blue T-shirt was the one who left the explosives, while the one in green shirt was his lookout.

READ: At least 34 hurt, 2 dead in Cotabato City mall blast — PNP

According to authorities, the photos were taken from a CCTV footage inside the said mall.

The names, however, were not yet identified by the police.

With the release of the suspects’ photos, the local government of the Cotabato City has placed the half a million pesos to anyone who can give information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects.

Regional Director Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, meanwhile, said that seven other suspects are now being searched by the authorities.

Without giving further details, Rasco said that the cohorts were four males and three females.

Two persons died and at least 34 others were injured following the blast. /jpv