Police detonated Monday a grenade found near a polling precinct in Cotabato City, on the same day of the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

A resident said he found the grenade on the ground in Barangay Rosary Heights 1, just a few meters away from the police precinct. Thinking it was a toy, he picked up the item and found that it was live grenade.

An explosive ordnance and disposal team said the grenade's safety pin had already been removed.

Authorities covered the grenade with sandbags before detonating it.

The discovery of the explosive came just hours after twin blasts rocked the house of Judge Rosalito Rasalan in the same barangay in Cotabato City. The family believes the explosion is connected to Rasalan's job as a judge.

• Grenade explodes in Cotabato City a day before Bangsamoro plebiscite

Cotabato City is one of the areas where the January 21 plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law is being held.