PNP tags Basilan bomber

From the Manila Times (Jun 4, 2022): PNP tags Basilan bomber (By Francis Earl Cueto)

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said that they had identified the suspects in the bombing incidents in Isabela, Basilan, on May 30, 2022.

Police Regional Office 9 spokeswoman Maj. Shellamie Chang said a witness approached them to help identify the suspects in bombing incidents at the bus terminal and fast-food chain.

"The Police Regional Office 9 is running after the suspects responsible for this incident in Isabela City. We are using our resources to hasten the investigation and arrest as we have been conducting a thorough investigation, and if arrested, the suspects will be immediately charged," Chang said.

Chang said that based on the witness account, the first male suspect had a height of around 5'3" to 5'4" and was wearing a red shirt, jeans, and a black hat.

She said that the suspect took a ride on the D-Biel Bus from Lamitan, Basilan, bringing with him a box that supposedly contained the explosive. The suspect stepped out of the bus in Isabela, leaving the box in the bus.

A second suspect was caught by CCTV leaving a suspicious-looking object in a parking lot of a fast-food chain. He was wearing a yellow shirt, jeans, and a white hat.

Chang said they had launched a manhunt operation to arrest the suspects now that they have a clearer picture of their identities.

She made the statement even as the Armed Forces earlier said that they eyeing the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf as behind the bombing at a bus terminal in Isabela City in Basilan.

"We suspect it's the ASG. The most probable suspect is (Abu Sayyaf)," Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said.

PNP mobilized to find bus bombing suspects

"We've been saying that they are already small (in membership in Basilan), so they are trying to remain significant," Rosario said.

The bombing occurred at around 6:15 p.m. at the terminal of D'Biel Bus in Barangay Lapiedad, causing minor injuries to a security guard and a female storekeeper.

Thirty minutes earlier, an explosion occurred at a branch of the fast-food chain Jollibee in Barangay Isabela Proper, about 800 meters away from the bus terminal. No one was hurt in the incident.

WestMinCom spokesman Maj. Andrew Linao said the post-blast investigation showed the explosion at the Jollibee outlet was caused by a faulty wiring.

Rosario said the bombing at the bus terminal could have been perpetrated by a group of extortionists "whose intention is not really to inflict casualty."

CHR condemns bombing

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned the recent bombing incidents in Mindanao and Isabela City, Basilan.

On May 26, an improvised explosive device (IED) went off inside a public utility bus in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and another blast occured at a bus terminal in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

"CHR strongly condemns these incidences of violence and indiscriminate bombings, which run counter to the principles of international humanitarian law. CHR reiterates its strong condemnation against any act of armed rebellion that seeks to terrorize and sow discord in the lives of people. These attacks run counter to the peace and security efforts of the government and are inimical to the country's national development," said CHR executive director Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia in a statement.

"We pray for a quick recovery for those hurt in the blasts in Mindanao. CHR for its part will be conducting a motu proprio investigation through its regional offices and coordinate efforts with the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission in the conduct of its parallel investigation with local authorities in pursuit of justice for the victims hurt in these incidents."

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/06/04/news/regions/pnp-tags-basilan-bomber/1846090