3 dead, 23 hurt in N. Cotabato blast

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Three persons were killed while 23 others were wounded in an explosion that ripped through a billiard hall in Mlang town here Sunday night.

John Camiring, Jade Villarin and Francis Rion died from shrapnel wounds, according to the North Cotabato provincial police.

Camiring and Villarin died at the scene while Rio died while being treated in a hospital, said Mlang Mayor Joselito Piñol.

Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza condemned the bombing, the second in the province in two weeks.

A student, Monique Mantawil, was killed while 15 others were wounded in the first incident, which occurred in Kabacan town, some 15 kilometers from Mlang.

As of yesterday, police remained clueless on the identities of those behind the Mlang explosion.

“The improvised explosive device was placed on a bench near a billiard hall. It was detonated with the use of a mobile phone,” Piñol said.

He said police officers were still trying to establish the identities of the bombers and the motive for the attack, which occurred at around 7 p.m.

Reports said two men on a motorcycle were seen roaming near the billiard hall before the explosion.

Army intelligence sources believe the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters was responsible for the Mlang and Kabacan blasts.

Mendoza said the provincial government would help in the burial of the fatalities and the medical expenses of the wounded.

Zambo twin bombing suspect identified

Authorities have identified a suspect in the twin explosions that hit a massage bar in Zamboanga City two weeks ago.

Police Superintendent Ariel Huesca, spokesman for the city police, identified the suspect as Muammar Askalani alias Abu Rami.

Huesca said police identified Askalani based on descriptions given by four witnesses, who said Askalani reportedly left an IED at a massage and videoke bar and another bomb outside the establishment located along Tomas Claudio street last Nov. 9. 

The second blast wounded Police Officer 2 Manuel Franklin Ined, a K9 handler, and his canine partner “Diego,” who were among those who responded to the first explosion.

Huesca said Askalani may not be Muamar Askali, the spokesman of Abu Sayyaf bandits who also uses the alias Abu Rami.

“The suspected bomber may be different from the other alias Abu Rami because the picture and sketches do not match. Besides, the Abu Sayyaf usually carries similar aliases,” Huesca said.

– With Roel Pareño, Edith Regalado