On Sept 12, the US Embassy put out a warning notice that there was danger to expats in several place in Mindanao (beyond the obvious Zamboanga City, where the fighting is still raging, unfortunately). The warning was unusually specific, especially in terms of the sort of places that might be hit:
The U.S. Embassy wishes to alert U.S. citizens that a credible threat against foreigners has been identified in southern Mindanao. Individuals associated with known extremist groups are believed to have been conducting surveillance on public shopping malls and western-based cafés in the area, as possible targets of interest.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and other destinations frequented by foreigners.
It looks like they had some good intelligence.
Last night there were bombings at two theatres located in malls in Davao City. Thankfully, no casualties.
Separate Monday night explosions in two Davao City movie theaters wrecked seats and lights, but caused no casualties.
According to a report on GMA 7's “Saksi”, investigators are still trying to determine what caused the blast at a SM City cinema, which occurred at about 9 p.m. SM said that it is cooperating in the investigation.
Meanwhile, radio dzBB reported an almost simultaneous explosion at the Gaisano Mall's Cinema 5.
Kudos to the Embassy.
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