Bombing suspect identified, similar attacks possible – Palace
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified the man who left the bomb that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens of others at a night market in Davao City last week.
Malacañang, however, urged the public to be vigilant as it disclosed the possibility of another terror attack in the country similar to the Davao City blast.
Executive Secretary Salvador Me- dialdea said they have obtained intelligence reports about threats of potential violence in Mindanao, admitting that such information prompted President Duterte to deploy more troops on the streets to ensure public safety.
“We cannot discount the possibility na puwedeng gawin ulit and we have reports na baka ulitin,” Medialdea said in a radio interview.
Director General Ronald dela Rosa, PNP chief, said the suspected
bomber was identified by several witnesses based on the photos that were presented to them at the course of the investigation.
Police earlier released both an artist sketch and computer image of the person who left the bag containing the bomb based on the description of the massage therapists who survived the explosion.
“We already know his true identity, we also know where he is hiding so the manhunt is ongoing,” said Dela Rosa.
The background check done by the investigators and intelligence agents, according to Dela Rosa, revealed that the suspected bomber was also involved in some bombing incidents in the past and has links with a terror group based in Central Mindanao.
He said the background check on the suspected bomber fits the earlier declaration of bomb experts that the improvised explosive device used in Davao City blast was similar to the bomb-making style taught by slain international terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was killed by police commandos in a bloody operation in Mamasapano town of Maguindanao. The IED uses mortar and cellular phone as a detonating device.
But Dela Rosa would not divulge more details about the suspected bomber, what with the ongoing operations to arrest the latter and all his accomplices in the Davao City blast.
Reinforced
The cohorts of the suspected bomber possibly include those involved in the illegal drugs activities in Central Mindanao, according to Dela Rosa.
He said the identification of the suspect only boosts their theory that some drug lords have something to do with the bombing in Davao City.
“This only further reinforced our theory of narco-terrorism because before the blast happened, we have received information that some narco-personalities in Central Mindanao are funding or financing this bombing operation,” said Dela Rosa.
Earlier, Dela Rosa said some drug lords made an alliance with local terrorist groups in Central Mindanao to carry out bombings aimed at diverting the government’s attention away from the ongoing anti-drugs war.
“In short, they (narco-personalities) are the mastermind, they are the ones funding the terror attack,” said dela Rosa.
Theory
But Dela Rosa was quick to clarify that the narco-terrorism angle is still a theory that is yet to be fully established.
“Our only concrete evidence on this is intelligence reports, we have not yet come up with strong evidence linking the two (drugs and terrorism),” said dela Rosa.
“So it (narco-terrorism) is still just a theory but on terrorism, we have already identified the suspect,” he added.
Worst not yet over
Medialdea, currently the government caretaker while President Duterte is abroad, admitted that it was difficult to say if the worst is over after the Davao bombing.
“Hindi natin alam ang mga taong, as of now ano, hindi natin alam ano itong mga kapasidad nitong tao na ito, uulitin, nangtutuya lang pero ito buhay na po ito (We don’t know these people, we don’t know their capacity if they’re trying to taunt or ridicule us. But lives are at stake here),” he said.
Medialdea admitted that the President’s basis for the declaration of a state of national emergency was the spate of violence in Mindanao. “We can’t take this just sitting down anymore, we have to address it,” he said.
Among the incidents cited by the Palace official were the September 2 bombing in Davao City, the escape of members of the local terrorist Maute group from a Lanao del Sur prison, and the beheading of Abu Sayyaf hostages.
He appealed anew for public cooperation amid the government’s stepped up efforts to address security threats.
“Let’s cooperate with the government para ma-attain natin iyong peace na gusto natin. Huwag na nating patagalin itong emergency rule na ito. Gusto natin makabalik kaagad tayo sa normal na pamumuhay,” he said.
Medialdea, however, assured there is no cause for alarm about the additional troops deployed in the street, saying they are there for the protection of the community.
Bounty raised to 13M Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said the reward for any information on the blast suspects has been raised to P3 million after a Davao City businessman and a law firm donated 1500,000 each.
“A businessman in Davao City donated 1500,000 for the additional reward money and a law firm, through Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, also gave another 1500,000,“Duterte said.
She said the reward for any information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspects remains at 11 million while, 12 million will be given to those who can arrest and bring them alive to authorities.
The mayor added that Davao City residents may call Central 911 for any information about the suspect(s) while, those living outside the city may contact 0917-DUTERTE or 0917-3883783. (With a report from Yas D. Ocampo)