KORONADAL CITY–Authorities have launched a manhunt against several personalities with alleged links to “extremist groups,” in connection with the bomb explosion beside a Catholic church and the recovery of another improvised explosive here on Sunday.
City Mayor Peter Miguel said Monday investigators have already identified a group of suspects behind the 12:05 p.m. bomb blast at near the side entrance gate of the Christ the King Cathedral along Rizal Street that left two persons slightly injured.
Miguel said the group was also responsible for the foiled attack about two hours later at the 747 convenience store along General Santos Drive.
“The situation is quite clearer now and our investigators are pursuing some leads. Based on the initial findings, it was linked to extremists,” he said in an interview over radio station dxKR here.
Miguel did not identify the group, noting that he will leave it to the police and military to do their work.
But he said investigators have already established the identities of at least “five members of the group,” which is reportedly based outside the city.
In a press conference, Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Region 12 police director, said they are pursuing at least two possible motives in line with the attack.
Morales said it could be a diversionary move of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) due to the continuing intensive military operations in their territories in Maguindanao province.
The official said they are also looking at the incident as a possible retaliation for the series of law enforcement operations launched by the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office that netted several members of local terror groups.
Morales said investigators are currently determining the “signature” of the bomb used in the attack and the recovered explosive.
He said that based on the materials recovered by the South Cotabato police’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit, the bomb was made of firecracker powder mixed with small nails and a mobile phone as triggering device.
The bomb that exploded was planted inside a bag left at a parked tricycle near the church’s side entrance; while the second was found inside a plastic bag left at the garbage bin of the convenience store.
The recovered bomb was detonated by EOD personnel.
In both instances, police said witnesses have tagged an unidentified woman as the carrier of the explosive.
The South Cotabato police is currently reviewing footages of security cameras installed near the blast site and the convenience store for other possible leads.
Morales said they have placed the city and other key areas in Region 12 on full alert to avert similar attacks. (Alejandro Saludo/PNA)
