Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) — The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) could be behind the two explosions in Isabela City, Basilan on Monday, a military official said on Tuesday.
“ASG ang nakita nating suspect although wala pa kaming report talaga kung sino ‘yung suspect at ano ‘yung motive nila,” Western Mindanao Command commander LtGen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. said on Tuesday
Police said security camera from the first incident showed a man placing a small container inside “a cellophane that later exploded.”
[Translation: We are looking at the ASG as the suspects, although we do not have a report yet who the suspects are and what the motive is.]
He added extortion was a possible angle.
“A duty guard was interviewed by our personnel and he narrated that he noticed a box of an alcoholic beverage in the area. Suddenly, it exploded. Apparently, the box was left by a passenger who boarded one of the bus units,” PNP OIC LtGen. Vicente Danao Jr. said of the second blast.
Danao said two people were injured and brought to hospital. They are now in stable condition.
The blasts were in two separate areas — one near a fast-food outlet and the other at a bus garage.
In a statement Tuesday, the Philippine National Police said the first blast was at around 5:45 p.m. at the parking lot of the fast-food chain, the second was reported at 6:15 at the garage of D’Biel Transportation Co.
In a separate interview with CNN Philippines, Metro Manila police chief PMGen. Felipe Natividad said the region Is still on full alert in the election period.
“We don’t have any threat related to the explosions in Isabela City, Basilan,” he said on Balitaan.
