Police looking at three possible motives in foiled bomb attack in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 24): Police looking at three possible motives in foiled bomb attack in Sultan Kudarat

Police authorities and investigators in Sultan Kudarat and in Maguindanao are looking at three possible motives in foiled bombing attempt here Friday. All police forces in the province have been placed on alert following the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED), the second in three days in Sultan Kudarat. Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, Sultan Kudarat police director, said the attacker who remained unidentified to date could be trying to create a scenario in the province. Senior Supt. Jaime Pido, Maguindanao police director, was convinced that the Improvised explosive device fashioned from two 60 mm and two 81 mm mortars could be intended for Maguindanao Governor Esmael Toto Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu himself claimed he was convinced he was indeed the target since his convoy would surely pass the road where the IED was discovered. But Balquin said that theory was one of the many. “There could be some groups who wanted to discredit Sultan Kudarat, a very peaceful province,” Balquin said. “There could be some groups who wanted to make it appear that the police are remiss in their duties,” he added. At least six explosions have been recorded in Sultan Kudarat the past three weeks. These explosions occurred in Tacurong City, President Quirino and in Isulan, all in Sultan Kudarat. However, Balquin said one of these was work related while the other was believed to be the handiwork of extortion gangs preying on public transport plying the Tacurong City-Gen. Santos routes. The third theory the police are looking into was the involvement of Jemaah Islamiya terror group which, according to police and military intelligence agencies, was to sow terror in Mindanao and in National Capital Region. One suspected JI member was killed in a shootout in Marawi City Thursday while police special forces were to serve warrants of arrest to seven suspected JI members. Ustadz Sanusi, an Indonesian, who also used the name Ishak, died in a hospital in Marawi City after sustaining gunshot wounds during a pursuit operation launched by police and military personnel, according to Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division. Caber said Sanusi, who was wanted for arson and murder, was among seven suspected Jemaah Islamiyah figures being hunted by the authorities. State forces seized a hand grenade and an Armalite rifle from Sanusi at the time of his death. Following the discovery of a powerful IED, Balquin said all police forces in Sultan Kudarat, especially Tacurong City and Isulan town, have been placed on heightened alert.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=474309