Still premature to determine motive in Basilan bombing – PNP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – It is still premature to determine the motive of last Thursday’s deadly roadside bombing in Isabela City, Basilan that left four people dead and several others injured.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ricardo Marquez stressed this yesterday while downplaying reports that the bombing incident was politically motivated.

He said the investigation has yet to be completed and there are also other angles to be considered, including extortion.

Chief Supt. Jonathan Miano, head of the PNP’s Directorate for Operations, said they have yet to establish the motive or identify the suspects in the bomb attack that killed and injured the aides of Isabela City Vice Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon.

Miano said the Isabela City police are still investigating the incident and he has yet to receive the official report.

An improvised explosive device (IED) that was placed inside a tricycle cab triggered by a cell phone exploded as the convoy of Ajibon passed by, killing four of his aides.

Ajibon said he was able to survive the attack as he was driving a service van ahead of his pick-up truck when they were caught in the powerful blast.

The tricycle laden with the bomb was parked across the residence of Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar in Barangay Sunrise.

Police gathered last Thursday’s bombing was the second attempt against Ajibon, occurring in the same spot after the one on May 31, 2012.

Ajibon said he was the target in the bombing, citing his plan to run for mayor in the 2016 elections.

However, Marquez said it would be premature to say if the bombing incident was politically related.