ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police released yesterday computer-generated images of two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits tagged in the bombing of a massage and videoke bar in this city last Thursday.
City police chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro said the suspects left a bag containing an improvised explosive device at the Manly Massage and KTV bar.
The explosion killed Geraldine Miguel and wounded seven others.
Casimiro said Miguel could be the target of the bombing, noting she was a witness in a similar attack on another bar in the area in November.
Miguel’s testimony led to the arrest of three Abu Sayyaf bandits, he said.
Miguel was not included in the witness protection program as the case against the suspects did not prosper for lack of evidence.
Casimiro said the recent bombing could have been carried out by the same group.
He said investigators were eyeing other motives for the attack, including a terror threat in the city.