ILIGAN CITY - A suspicious package near the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offices in Barangay Palao jolted residents and employees Thursday morning.

Police said they received a call from BIR's security guard about an abandoned package across their office. The package was wrapped in metallic foil and ribbons. Residents say they did not notice who left the package and when it was placed there.

The police immediately cordoned the area, and patrol cars were used to block the roads and keep onlookers further away from the area.

The Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) prepared to detonate the package. However, the package was light. Sensing it was empty, the EOD opened it instead and indeed found nothing.

Police Station 5 Deputy Commander Inspector Virgil Cabili said the package may have been intentionally left to scare the public following the blast Wednesday night, which left four people injured.

"It must be their (Maute Group) diversionary tactic," he said.

Authorities are now coordinating with commercial establishments near the blast site for CCTV videos that may have captured last night’s incident.

Police City Director Senior Superintendent Leony Roy Ga said they are still looking into the possible motive of last night’s bombing.

The entire city remains under terror alert level 3.