(UPDATE)Man calls trader asking millions before NorCot blast

LIBUNGAN, North Cotabato - An unidentified man called Jacky Ondoy, owner of several grocery stores here and agricultural buy and sell business, shortly before the explosion that ripped through two of his vehicles parked in Barangay Poblacion here Friday night, police said.It was the second bombing incident in North Cotabato in three days after Wednesday night's grenade attack on a UCCP Church in Pikit, North Cotabato that left two dead and hurt three others.Chief Inspector Bernard Tayong, Libungan police chief, said the caller, believed to be an extortionist, wanted Ondoy to shell out huge amount of protection money.Tayong said the caller told Ondoy a bomb will explode if the demand is ignored. Ondoy rejected the demand.Minutes later, the improvised bomb exploded in between two vehicles, a Mitsubishi FB van and a 10-wheeler winged-van, parked in front of Ondoy's grocery store.He said the caller had been mulcting Ondoy with huge amount of money but Ondoy repeatedly ignored saying once he gives in the extortionist will keep coming back and ask for more.The 9:20 p.m.blast inflicted huge damaged to the two vehicles but no one was injured.Following the incident, Tayong urged other traders in Libungan to alert the police should they received demand letters or calls. Our traders should not give in to the demand of these people because one you'll do it, they will make you a milking cow, Tayong told traders.He also advised business people to make precautionary measures and always coordinate with police and military authorities.Bomb experts said the improvised bomb was cellphone detonated.Obviously alarmed by the separate explosions, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza ordered an independent and speedy investigation. I'm directing all law
enforcers to look deeper into all these bombing incidents, complete the
investigation, file the necessary charges against the perpetrators and place them
behind bars to include even against victims or persons who have knowledge, personal grudge, on rido, extortion fillers, she said following the Pikitand Libungan bombing incidents. Their complacency and non
cooperation resulted to endangering the lives of other innocent civilians,
destruction to properties as well as undermining the serious efforts of law enforcers and local government units in keeping peace and order in our area
of responsibility, Mendoza said in a emailed statement from her office.
She also ordered the police to probe even the police law enforcers and local government unitsif they were negligent. (I ordered) toinvestigate as well law enforcers if they have been negligent and LGU partners
if they have been remiss in their function and responsibility.

Peace and order is everybody’s
business, she said, adding thatCotabateños have to work together considering the circumstances, limitations
and challenges in Cotabato.