POLICE authorities have tightened security measures and urged the public to be wary after the discovery of two improvised explosive device (IED) in a coastal village, here, just several meters away from a vocational school.
City Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo said the IEDs were left at the garbage pile on both sides of the road in Purok Bakhaw-B in Brgy. Kawit at about 6:30 in the morning, Thursday, Nov. 10.
A passing resident who saw the milk can tried to tinker the package and concluded that it could be an IED after noticing a protruding cord in the can. He then warned the people within the vicinity and immediately reported to the explosive ordinance and disposal (EOD) team.
Policemen along with members of the AFP K9, SOCO and 905th PMG immediately proceeded to the area where the EOD, led by Senior EOD technician Emerson Lumpas later diffused the bombs.
Palermo explained that two cellular phones were used to connect to the IEDs, which are also connected to two blasting caps. He said that had the bombs went off, the extent of damage could reach as far as 150 meters.
The police chief added the two IEDs composed of two containers of 1800 grams of milk cans, three cellular phones, a 60-mm projectile RPG, another two kilograms of aluminum flash powder mix, a flashlight with caps and blasting cord, electrical cord with adaptor and assorted nails mixed with bolts.
Palermo said he cannot elaborate more on the nature of the IEDs for the meantime adding they are zeroing their investigation on the motive behind the bombing attempt.
The Zamboanga del Sur School of Arts and Trades, located a few meters from the area where the IEDs were found, is said to conduct a parade that morning for their English Day celebration.
Palermo told this paper that two witnesses saw three suspicious looking persons sitting inside the shanty near the area two hours before the discovery of the IEDs.
The police official believes the IEDs may have been planted to sow terror among the populace and create an impression that Pagadian City is a dangerous place.
December, last year, authorities foiled a bombing attempt in a passenger bus bound for Cagayan de Oro City after an IED was discovered fashioned out of two 60-milimeter mortar shells.
The attempt was the third foiled within the Westmincom area of jurisdiction after the twin explosions that earlier rocked two commercial establishments in Iligan City that month killing two people and injuring 48 others.
September, this year, a conspiracy to perpetrate bombings in the Zamboanga Peninsula region and in three other provinces by terrorist groups having links with al-Qaeda was uncovered by authorities.
Information from a military source based in Zamboanga City then reported that an unidentified urban terrorist group is targeting to bomb key areas around the region, including Zamboanga and Pagadian cities.
Stepping up operations against the reported terror plots, city police then at once informed local establishments and security agencies to be wary on individuals with suspicious movements.
REPORT BY JONG CADION, CHARNYL ALBARRACIN & MICHAEL MEDINA