Cops consider Palawan twin blasts solved

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome considered “solved” the twin blasts which rocked the resort town of El Nido and a bus terminal in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan last Maundy Thursday.

Bartolome said there was nothing to worry about security and the blasts were not considered acts of terror.

“We consider it already solved because of the arrest of one of the suspects. He was positively identified,” he said.

Police yesterday filed charges of grave threats and frustrated murder against the suspect, Hiya Hassan, said to be a former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander.

The blasts left three persons injured, including a 23-year-old cook of a resort in El Nido town.

Earlier, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn said Hassan, alias Commander Cobra, had links to former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, who is wanted for the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega. Hagedorn said Hassan admitted that he was an employee of Reyes’ wife, Palawan Vice Gov. Clara Reyes.

Hassan was with his daughter Jheramae and 17 former MNLF members for their scheduled meeting with Hagedorn in a hotel when he was invited for questioning, Maj. Neil Estrella, spokesman and intelligence chief of the Armed Forces’ Western Command.

Military undercover agents dialed the number used by a texter in sending bomb threats prior to the twin blasts, and the cellular phone in front of Hassan rang. 

– With Ed Amoroso, Jaime Laude