CEBU, Philippines – At least 34 people were wounded in the bomb explosion at Hilongos town's Rizal Plaza around 9:05 p.m. Wednesday when an amateur boxing tournament was being held as part of the celebration of a town fiesta.
Despite the incident, authorities here assured they received no information that terrorists are planning to stage an attack with the approach of the Sinulog celebration. Nevertheless, they also assured they are ready for any eventuality.
Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, director of the Police Regional Office-8, confirmed that two improvised explosive devices successively exploded at the plaza fronting the Hilongos Municipal Hall, where close to a hundred of people were watching the event, including Mayor Alex Villahermosa and his wife, both seated about 12 meters away from where the bomb exploded.
The mayor and his wife were left unscathed by the blast, but of the 34 wounded, five were in serious condition and brought to the Hilongos District Hospital and the Leyte Baptist Hospital in Hilongos, according to Beltejar. He further said the PNP EOD Team and SOCO will do post explosive investigation.
Senior Superintendent Franco Simborio, Leyte PNP provincial director said that investigators had found shrapnel from an 81mm mortar-based improvised explosive device at the scene.
Eight minors including a pregnant woman, Giselle Managbanag, 26, and her husband were among of those who were injured while watching the boxing match. Managbanag was seriously wounded in the leg.
The youngest of the victims was a 7-year-old girl who was injured in her leg. Sixteen of the 34 injuries were released from hospital after receiving first aid while the rest are now confined at hospitals in Tacloban, Hilongos and Baybay City.
The plaza where the explosion occurred was across the police station here, the municipal hall, and the town's public market. Several hours later the police authorities invited at least 30 minors to their police station for questioning.
Mayor Villahermosa, in a separate interview, said that there is now a lead in the investigation based on a report that the bomb came from Maguindanao.
PNP officials, based on the initial investigation, claimed that the attack was initiated by terrorists based in Mindanao. Several soldiers from the 802nd Infantry Brigade and augmentation forces from the Philippine National Police were also dispatched to Hilongos to secure the area.
Du30 links blast to drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday blamed a drug feud for the bombing.
He did not explain the basis for his suspicions, but he has led a brutal crackdown against illegal drugs since he took office in June. More than 6,000 drug suspects have been killed, and thousands more arrested, raising concerns of injustices and extrajudicial killings.
The military said in a statement, citing a police assessment, that a drug suspect arrested by Hilongos policemen last October may have retaliated by carrying out the bombings.
"Subject person was very enraged because allegedly, she was a victim of provocation and was not caught during the buy-bust operation," the military said, "the explosion could have been perpetrated by her allies in retaliation against the Hilongos (police)."
The armed forces have been placed on alert amid on-and-off offensives in the country's south against Muslim militants, including Abu Sayyaf bandits and armed sympathizers of the Islamic State group.
Communist guerrillas also have a presence in Leyte province, but Duterte, whose administration is holding peace talks with the communist rebels, said it was unlikely they were involved.
"Overall, I would say it has nothing to do with the left or with the communists," Duterte said.
High Alert
Considering the forthcoming Sinulog festivities, acting Cebu City mayor Edgardo Labella urged Cebu City Police Office and other police organizations to be on high alert.
In his press conference, Labella said police groups need the help of the public who should be more vigilant because bombings like in Leyte can happen anytime and anywhere.
"Without being an alarmist, we should always be prepared and be more vigilant and not only the police but also the citizenry because it's happening everywhere not just in the urban centers but even in the local government units," he told reporters.
As far as he knows, Labella said there are no bombings recorded in Cebu City yet.
City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor on peace and order, assured that police groups are doing their best to secure the city especially during Sinulog.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Nagiel Bañacia said the disaster teams are on standby to respond to any incident.
Prepared
Police Regional Office-7 director Noli Taliño said they are prepared for possible attacks.
So far, he said there was no direct threat monitored in Central Visayas especially in Cebu.
"Naka in-place ang security natin even before Undas," he said, adding the PRO-7 is closely working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
For the Sinulog, he said there will be augmentation in the city.
"We are not discounting any possibility… we tightened the security from now on, sa Sinulog at Miss Universe," he said.
Following the explosions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has assured to beef up their security measures in Cebu and other neighboring provinces especially during the celebration of New Year.
Lieutenant Colonel Luzmindo Mamauag, spokesperson of the Central Command, in a text message sent to The FREEMAN said they condemn the "inhumane" and "cowardly" acts of the perpetrators responsible for the incident.
"We are still deploying troops in urban centers and in the entry or exit points in Cebu to keep the people safe and secure in celebrating the holiday season," he said.
The AFP further called on the public to be extra vigilant and assist the authorities in their monitoring by reporting immediately any suspicious persons or activities.
The armed forces and law enforcement agencies can be reached through their hotline numbers: Central Command, 0917-701-7601; PRO-7 (Central Visayas), 0917-629-9444; PRO-8 (Eastern Visayas) 0936-919-4794; and PRO-6 (Western Visayas) 0995-955-5072. — with Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Mylen P. Manto, and Michael Vencynth H. Braga/BRP (FREEMAN)