DOJ forms task force to probe Davao blast
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a three- member task force to conduct fact-finding investigation on the bomb explosion in a crowded night market in Davao City last Sept. 2 that killed 15 people and wounded 70 others.
DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II issued a department order designating two senior prosecutors and a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) official to pinpoint the persons responsible for the attack and determine their criminal liabilities.
The members of the team are Davao Regional Prosecutor Janet Grace Fabrero, Davao City Prosecutor Nestor Ledesma and NBI Davao regional office chief Ronald Rosales.
They were directed to “coordinate with each other and with personnel from other law enforcement agencies” for the probe.
The three were also ordered to regularly report to newly appointed DOJ Undersecretary Antonio Kho Jr., who is tasked to oversee the investigation.
Aguirre did not give the team a deadline for completion of the probe and submission of its findings and recommendations.
The DOJ chief has vowed justice for victims of what was said to be a clear terrorist attack.
“The perpetrators should be meted the corresponding punishment under our penal laws. They will be brought to justice,” he assured.
“We will cooperate with the other law enforcement agencies on this concerted effort to flush out the persons responsible. We have a common enemy; it will be defeated by our collective action,” he stressed.
Charges of multiple counts of murder, frustrated murder or serious physical injuries and terrorism are being eyed against the perpetrators.
Even after the terrorist Abu Sayyaf reportedly owned up to the attack, Aguirre said all angles must still be pursued in the investigation.
The attack came as government forces were on alert amid an ongoing military offensive against Abu Sayyaf extremists in Sulu.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the explosive device used in the bomb attack is similar to those used by terrorists based in Central Mindanao.
Dela Rosa was referring to the IED fashioned out of mortar round manufactured by Jemaah Islamiyah ( JI) trained militants.
Dela Rosa said they cannot pin- point yet which particular group supplied the IED, saying there are other groups like that of Basit Usman or Abdul Malik Mintang, both trained by the late Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.