Friday, July 10, 2009

17 hurt in Iligan Blast

By Mariz Revales , Mangagawang Media Ng Mindanao

Iligan City- Seventeen people, including two soldiers, were wounded following an explosion here Tuesday, police said.


Northern Mindanao police head Chief Superintendent Danilo Empedrad said an improvised explosive device went off at 10:30 a.m. at Sabayle st. corner Cabili Avenue, about 300 meters away from the port.


In a separate report on radio Wednesday said the Iligan City CCTV center showed that at 10:24 a.m., a suspect ordered two minors to carry a heavy bag for him.


The suspect had the minors leave the bag at a parked Mitsubishi Lancer sedan and after a few minutes, an explosion occurred and 17 hurt in the blast.


Meanwhile. a report from the City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Grace Joy Saquilabon the injured were identified as Ronaldo Adorna , 41, of Suarez, Archie Batoigas,25, of Dalipuga, Sonny Paclibar, 25 of Madasigon, Suarez, Lorena Ortega 36, of Linamon, Mario Tingcang 27, of Buruun, Jerry Baja ,38 of Suarez, Ninas Delima,53, of Acmac, Sarah Radza, 46, of Tambo, Juvelyn Maglimot, 25, of Camague, Richard Saliwa ,25 of Roosevelt, Edito Anchita, of Maria Cristina, Senaida Monaco, 50 of Marinaut, Marawi City, Augustina Enguito,53,of Port Area, Bienvenido Ramos,60,of Saray, Nida Sadernas, 51, of Canaway, Tibanga, Michele Almoete, 25, of Kiwalan and Kristine Shiela Ramirez, 22 of Purok 6, Tambo., all of Iligan City.



Police authorities said that an army jeep was damaged by the blast adding that they are still determining the perpetrator or perpetrators of the incident.



The bombing in Iligan City came just a few hours after an IED went off near a church in Jolo, Sulu at 7:55 a.m.


Empedrad disclosed that with a witness and a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the authorities are trying to zero in on the perpetrator of Tuesday’s bombing in Iligan City.


He said hinted the bombing may be connected to rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).


"As of now, meron kaming nakausap na witness at kino-collate namin ang mga ebidensyang nai-turn over sa Crime Laboratory. Nasisiguro namin na ang ginamit na bomba ay 81mm projectile na mortar," he said in a radio interview.


When asked if the MILF may be connected to the incident, he said there have been "threats" to Iligan City since the Supreme Court rejected in August 2008 the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) that would have paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro homeland.

[Since the time the MOA-AD was scrapped there have been threats to our area particularly Iligan City. The threats have continued from Commander Bravo leader of the lawless MILF group. And this is one of the angles we are looking into as motive.]

But MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu in a phone interviewed maintained that the MILF had nothing to do with the bombings, noting they already condemned the incidents.

Kabalu reiterated his call for an investigation by an international group.


"Anong mapapala ng MILF sa ganitong klaseng pangyayari [What will the MILF gain from the incidents]? The situation is very ripe for third party groups to exploit," he said.

Meanwhile, Col. Benito de Leon Brigade Commander of the 104th brigade said that he is appealing to everybody tobe more vigilant and report to authorities suspicious looking individuals, packages so as to help deter terrorists activities.

Only last Sunday, a loud explosion rocked Cotabato City when an IED went off at a lechon (roasted pig) house in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral along Quezon Avenue.


The blast took place just as people were leaving the church after the second Mass, which ended at 8:45 a.m.


Five people were killed and dozens were wounded in the Cotabato City incident, which the military blamed on the Special Operations Group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The MILF has denied the accusation.


But MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu maintained the MILF had nothing to do with the bombings, noting they already condemned the incidents.


Interviewed twice on dzXL Wednesday morning, Kabalu reiterated his call for an investigation by an international group.


"Anong mapapala ng MILF sa ganitong klaseng pangyayari [What will the MILF gain from the incidents]? The situation is very ripe for third party groups to exploit," he said.(with reports from Ric Cet, GMA News.TV, Iligan)





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