The tricycle driver who drove the suspected lady suicide bomber in the Jolo bombing incident last week is now considered a person of interest by the police.
Based on the CCTV footage before the explosion, a yellow tricycle is seen headed to the Food Paradise Plaza. Another footage showed it stopped and a woman wearing a light blue hijab got off and walked to where the military truck was parked.
The tricycle also made a counter-flow in a one-way street and seemed to be in a hurry. The special investigating task group on the Jolo bombing disclosed that the tricycle driver has already approached authorities. The driver was released since he is not yet a suspect. An investigation on the driver is now ongoing.
“Maaari po siyang makatulong sa atin para ma-identify talaga kung ‘yung tricycle niya ba ay sinakyan ng nagdala ng bomba o siya ba ay kasama din o konektado din siya o kasabwat din ba siya sa pagsabog (The driver can help us identify if the tricycle merely carried the suicide bomber or if he is also connected or an accomplice in the explosion),” SITG Paradise Jolo Spokesperson PLt.Col. Kris Conrad Gutierrez said.
Authorities have also identified the type of explosive used by the suicide bomber. Investigators are now determining if the bomb signature of the improvised explosive device has similarities to those used in other bombing incidents, including the Jolo Cathedral bombing.
“If ma-prove natin na iisa lang ‘yung signature na ginamit sa paggawa ng IED, so most likely iisa po ‘yung target natin (If we can prove that there is only one signature used on the EID, our target is most likely just one),” Gutierrez explained.
Security forces’ pursuit of the group of Mundi Sawadjaan and two Indonesian accomplices is ongoing. Sawadjaan is the suspected mastermind of the twin bombing incidents.
Joint Task Force Zamboanga reported that it has not monitored any movement of Sawadjaan in the province. The local government of Zamboanga City earlier offered a Php 3 million reward for informants who could lead to the suspect. The military in Zamboanga has been alerted and are prepared for any possible attack after the Jolo incident.
“I think Zamboanga City needs to boost their security preparation in order to prevent any untoward incident to happen in Zamboanga City. Talagang target talaga ‘yan (It is really a target),” Security Analyst Rommel Banlaoi advised. – Report from Bea Bernardo
