Unattended bag stirs bomb scare in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY — Tension gripped along Quezon Avenue here Wednesday afternoon after an unattended bag left on the side of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral Parish was mistaken to contain explosives. Authorities received a report about an abandoned bag at the left side of the parish's gate. Since nobody claimed the bag, Central Bank guards and police thought it contained an explosive. The city police responded and cordoned the area. After a thorough inspection, it was discovered that the bag contained clothes and plastic bags. The bag's owner was later identified as Mario from South Upi, who later claimed the bag. He said he left his heavy bag for a while to buy something in a nearby store. Authorities reminded everyone to always secure their belongings to prevent similar incidents in the future.