MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor in chief
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—More bombs are still to be set off somewhere in Mindanao, Vice-mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano warned in a radio interview last week, quoting information from his own intelligence sources.
Emano said that he was able to gather reliable information the brains of the Dec. 18 twin bombings in Iligan City are still mapping out to detonate eight more in diverse parts of the island.
In his statement, Emano said he is still tracking the said bombs as he voiced anticipation that those responsible for this will not insist on their terroristic plans for and in consideration of the innocent civilians.
Even Cagayan de Oro City is not out of harm’s way, added Emano, again quoting his intelligence sources, as he assured radio listeners that local executives should do everything to preserve peace and order in their respective areas.
Emano’s statement came a day after two improvised explosive devices (IED) were found inside a Rural Transit Bus on the way to Cagayan de Oro from Zamboanga City.
Passengers discovered the bomb just a few minutes after it left the Integrated Bus Terminal in Pagadian City.
The IED was neatly packed and hidden at the rear portion of the bus.
Responding members of the 35EODT Bomb Disposal Unit and elements of the 53rd IB held the bus for a few minutes, told the passengers to disembark and the area cordoned as K9 dogs sniff the suspicious box to determine its contents.
Technical Sergeant Allan Cayud-ong said the suspected box contained two 60-mm mortar rounds interlinked to each other with four AA batteries, an electrical chord and a blasted timing device.
The IED was then transferred by the EOD Bomb Disposal Unit outside the bus and defused it by using a water disruptor.
A few minutes before the discovery of the bomb, a saleslady from one of the stalls in IBT relayed to the market supervisor that she received a text message a bomb was placed inside one of the Rural Transit buses parked at IBT.
Earlier that Monday morning, Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah “Bobby” Dimaporo suggested in an interview with DxSY-AM that from the bounds of Lanao del Norte to Zamboanga del Sur, authorities showing a soft attitude on its security measures would make the Dec. 18 incident in Iligan City a probable occurrence.
Attempt to bomb Iligan City the second time around was foiled after the military’s explosive ordnance demolition (EOD) team found three more bombs in different downtown locations.
The discovery followed the two blasts that occurred earlier, Friday, at Unicity and Jerry’s Bargain Center, which killed two people, injured 53 and destroyed an L-300 van.
The EOD team found and diffused a 21-milimeter-mortar bomb at Delecta Bread Snack, just adjacent to JBC, concealed inside a papaya with some of the wirings protruding. It had a timing device.
The bomb was reported by a saleslady of Delecta who told police that two male customers pretended to buy bread, ate and left after a few minutes.
After a few minutes of searching the area using K9 dogs, a second bomb was recovered at the Maranao Telephone (Maratel) building, next to Unicity.
A third one was found near Mercury Drugstore, Pala-o Branch along Badelles Street.
The discovery of the bombs have alerted authorities to double check every nook and cranny in the city proper as Mayor Lawrence Cruz appealed to residents to be vigilant and promptly inform the police of any suspicious characters and activities.
The MILF hierarchy, through spokesman Eid Kabalu, condemned the bombings and appealed that government investigates the blasts before blaming the MILF organization.
Police investigators have said a closed-circuit television camera at one of the shops showed two males handing over what appeared to be a bag to the baggage counters minutes before the blast.
Colonel Nicanor Dolojan, commander of the 403rd Brigade, said the attacks might have been the handiwork of lawless elements of the MILF, noting that the components used in the explosives included mortar rounds – a known signature of the MILF.
Last month, at least three people were wounded in the bombings of the Traveler’s Inn and the Caprice Lodge, still in Iligan City.
As to Emano’s declaration, 4th ID public affairs officer Maj. Michelle Anayron said they are in the process of verifying Emano’s information whether this was a hoax or dependable.