Police activates SITG to probe Basilan blast

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 2): Police activates SITG to probe Basilan blast

The police has activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to conduct deep investigation over the roadside bombing incident on Thursday in Isabela City, the capital of the nearby province of Basilan.

Newly-promoted Senior Supt. Oscar Nantes, Basilan police director told the Philippines News Agency the members of the SITG will comprise of personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG); Isabela City police; military personnel and from other government agencies.

Nantes, as the Basilan police director, will be the head of the SITG.

A powerful bomb exploded killing four people and injured 11 others who were together in a convoy with Isabela City Vice Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon.

The explosion occurred around 1:10 p.m. Thursday along the road in Barangay Sunrise, Isabela City while Ajibon’s convoy was passing.

The bomb exploded just outside the main gate of the compound of Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar.

Ajibon escaped unscathed although the vehicle he was riding was damaged during the blast.

Three of Ajibon’s companions, including two staffs, were killed in the blast. A city government employee who was in the vicinity of the incident was also killed.

Supt. Albert Larubis, Isabela City police chief, identified the fatalities as Muhaimin Jali, Ulah Maulla, and Ramil Omar, former barangay captain of Balatanay, Isabela City. They were together with Ajibon in the convoy.

The fourth fatality was Gregorio Heneral Delgado, a city government employee. He was in the vicinity of the blast site as he was on the way to a store.

Wounded were the following: Abdullah Alìh Ismael, former barangay captain of San Rafael, Isabela City; Sattar Swaib Abdul and Tupay Kalbi, Ajibun’s security escorts; Nurhaida Dela Cruz; Hadji Amlon Adam; Sali Appan Utal, 74; Timhar Mohammad; Gammar Tiplani, 57; Sonny Tanjali, 50; Grace Torres; and, Florante Agustin.

Larubis said most of the victims were together with Ajibon in a convoy while the some are passersby and residents living near the blast site.

Nantes said the investigation will focus on all possible motives behind the attempt on the life of the vice mayor in a bid to unmask the suspects.

Ajibon said he believes the motive on the bomb attack on his convoy was politically motivated.

However, Ajibon said he is leaving it to the SITG to unmask the culprits and bring them before the bar of justice.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=810799