Police hunt suspects in Zambo City blasts

ZAMBOANGA CITY ,Philippines  – Police have obtained a list of possible suspects behind the almost simultaneous bombing attacks Sunday in this city, an official said yesterday.

City police director, Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, said they are investigating the identities of the guests who have occupied one of the rooms at the Red Palm Pension House where the bomb exploded.

The identities of the guests, who checked out prior to the explosion, have been withheld in the meantime, De Ocampo said.

 He said the first bomb that exploded in the cockpit center was placed inside a fighting cock box and left on the bleachers.

Security officials said the bombs used were similar to those that exploded in Isabela City, Basilan last June 25 that killed three people and injured 15 others.

But De Ocampo said it is too early to link any group to the bombing pending the result of the investigation by the explosive ordnance disposal unit.

He said the explosions could be a diversionary attack amid tightened security in the city, which is celebrating its weeklong Hermosa Festival.

The police and military have beefed up security in Central Mindanao yesterday due to bombing threats following Sunday’s twin explosions.

Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said military units under the 6th ID have established security checkpoints along national highways criss-crossing the region as part of the security preparations.

Ardo said the mayors in North Cotabato and Maguindanao towns have also been requested to help monitor the presence of suspicious people in their respective municipalities.

Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said he has warned chiefs of the municipal and provincial police offices in ARMM of punitive actions if they fail to prevent bombings due to poor intelligence.

Mayor Celso Lobregat meanwhile gave assurance that the bombings will not dampen the festive mood of the city as he urged the visitors to come and experience the festival. “Well, we still encourage them to come with our slogan ‘Vamos a Zamboanga’.”   – With John Unson