ZAMBOANGA CITY (January 29, 2010) – Police and military authorities stepped up its security measures after three bombs exploded in this city at dawn on Friday, January 29, 2010, causing people to panic.

Task force Zamboanga commander Army Colonel Santiago Baluyot said the explosions occurred in three areas in downtown Zamboanga, but there were no reports of casualties.

Col. Baluyot said first bomb exploded along Sevilla Street at around 3:30 a.m., followed by another blast in front of the Universidad de Zamboanga at 4:20 a.m. and one more at Plaza Pershing at 5:10 a.m.

“There are no reports of casualties and maybe the explosions are only meant to sow fear among the peace loving people of this city,” Baluyot said.

He said bomb experts have recovered no shrapnel from the three areas and authorities are still investigating the explosions.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the blasts, but authorities have attributed previous bombings to the Abu Sayyaf group operating in the nearby Basilan and Sulu provinces.