ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Police officials in this city assured the public that Iloilo City remains safe and peaceful even after the taking place of a series of lawless incidents here, the latest one being the lobbing of a grenade that exploded at the newly-constructed Bali Hotel owned by businessman-news publisher Rommel Ynion.

News about criminal activities in the city “is only being sensationalized,” S/Supt. Marietto Valerio, chief of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said, underlining that “the city is still safe.” No one was hurt in said grenade-lobbing incident, although the blast shattered the hotel’s glass panels on the first floor.

“The hotel is not even operational,” Valerio explained referring that the hotel is not yet open for business.

Police forces here have yet to determine the motive for the incident which continues to be the subject of investigation.

Valerio said they are looking into the possibility that a third party group might have staged the attack to worsen the word war between the camps of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Ynion. Ynion is perceived by many to have an interest in running for public office here.

The police official appealed to the business community to maintain their trust and confidence with the police in securing peace and order in the city.