No witnesses yet to back Magdalo claim on bombings

DAVAO CITY — The presidential commission tasked to investigate the bombings that struck Davao City early this year, has yet to find a witness who can support the allegations of the "Magdalo group," which was behind the failed July 27 mutiny, that the military had a hand in the blasts.

The five-man panel, headed by Sta. Ana parish priest Fr. Pedro Maniwang, started its four-day hearing here the other day. It was expected to wrap up its inquiry over the weekend and immediately submit its findings to President Arroyo.

At least 17 witnesses, including Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, have been summoned to appear before the panel. The first witness was former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region XI chief Danilo Galapon.

The panel members also conducted ocular inspections of the blast sites at the Davao International Airport, the entrance of the passenger terminal of the Sasa wharf as well as the four mosques that were bombed last April 3. — Edith Regalado