By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera immediately rushed to the explosion site at Plaza Heneral Santos Tuesday evening (September 16) then visited hospitals where victims were taken to look after their safety.
A blast took place in the Rizal Monument of Plaza Heneral Santos around 7:45 in the evening Tuesday. The monument is about 30 meters away from City Hall.
An official statement from the PNP, JTF Gensan, and the local government unit of General Santos City said the explosion was caused possibly by a grenade.
Hospital and City Social Welfare and Development Office records identified the victims as:
1. Sarah Arquiza, 18, of Barangay Labangal;
2. Christian Paul Amimong, 20, of Soriano Subdivision, Barangay City Heights;
3. Jay Ar Magnanao, 17, of Barangay City Heights;
4. Marlon Pasada, 23, of Panay, Sto. Nino, South Cotabato;
5. Joanne Michelle Abranilla, 10, of Lansones St, General Santos City;
6. James Ralph Abreo, 23, of Yumang St., General Santos City;
7. Andy Galapen;
8. Sheena Mae Maquinda.
They only sustained minor injuries.
As of noon today only three victims remain at St. Elizabeth Hospital while all the rest have been discharged, including those brought to General Santos City Hospital.
Mayor Rivera visited the patients and checked their condition Tuesday night. He also assured their families that the government will shoulder all their hospital expenses and medicines.
The first one to tend to the victims was the Rescue 727 team and the reorganized City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Mayor Rivera.
The mayor convened the Philippine National Police and Joint Task Force Gensan and ordered them for the immediate resolution of the treacherous crime.
“I want to pin down immediately whoever are behind this explosion. I don’t want these people to create more havoc to Gensan,” the mayor stated.
“Gensan is steadily progressing. This blast will somehow be a deterrent to the vibrant economy of the city, especially to the entry of investments,” Rivera added.
When asked to what motive/s may have driven this incident, Mayor Rivera was careful not to conclude anything, as “anything is possible at the moment”.
Nonetheless, the mayor urged the Generals or Gensan residents to remain calm and vigilant with this attempt to disrupt the peace of the city.
“I want all Generals to be strong in these times. Let us not blame and point fingers because that won’t really help. Let us be vigilant, let us help one another because Gensan is our home,” Mayor Rivera said.
As press time, the authorities are still continuing their investigation and have tightened the security around the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)
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