MANILA, Philippines — Cotabato City Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao ordered police and barangay officials to put certain areas under localized lockdown starting on Tuesday after four shooting incidents that killed four people.
Under Executive Order No. 3, which Matabalao signed on Tuesday, no persons would be allowed to enter or exit the areas under lockdown from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. each night until the mayor lifts the order.
The following are the affected areas:
- Purok Talitay and Purok Pag-asa in Barangay Rosary Heights 7
- Purok Purok Masagana and the perimeter of Fiesta Mall in Barangay Rosary Heights 10
“The purpose of the lockdown is to ensure public safety amidst the existing security threats in the concerned areas,” the order said.
According to Matabalao, the City Peace and Order Council has received reports of security threats and sightings of armed individuals in the city, particularly in the areas specified.
The shooting incidents all took place on Monday but were apparently unrelated to each other, according to Matabalao.
In an earlier Facebook post, Matabalao assured residents that there was no shooting spree in the city and that local authorities were already investigating the incidents.