Pieces of evidence obtained by the Philippine National Police (PNP) pointed to deliberate bomb attack in two areas in Isabela City in Basilan.
PNP Officer-In-Charge Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr., said a footage from the CCTV (closed circuit television) they obtained revealed that a man may have planted the bomb that went off in one of the explosion sites.
"A CCTV footage showed a man, wearing a yellow t-shirt with a cap, appeared in the parking area to place a small container inside a cellophane that later exploded," said Danao, saying the first explosion occurred at around 5:45 p.m. near a fast food.
After same few minutes, at 6:15 p.m., another explosion was reported at the garage of D’Biel Transportation Co. in Barangay La Piedad.
“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,” said Danao.
Two people were injured during the attacks. They were identified as Evangeline Francisco and Christopher Pasaul. Both victims are now in stable condition.
A truck and three buses were damaged in the second blast.
“The post blast investigation will now determine the composition of explosives used. Our investigators are doubling time to identify the culprit of these two incidents and to establish the possible connection of both,” Danao said.
For his part, Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon, director for Operations of the PNP, said they are now looking into all angles to identify the perperators.
"We will find out what transpired and if there are individuals or groups responsible. If these were terrorist attacks, we will ensure that they will be held accountable at the soonest possible time," said De Leon.
De Leon said he will personally monitor the progress of the investigation into the two bombing incidents.
Last week, De Leon issued a memorandum to all police commanders to intensify the security measures in their respective areas of responsibility following the two bus bombings in Tacurong City and Koronadal City.
De Leon directed all Regional Directors and Unit Commanders to regularly conduct inspections in all transport terminals; vital installations, public places, and other places of convergence; conduct of checkpoints in major thoroughfares and strategic roads; and, to beef up intelligence-gathering operations,
"The Filipino people expect us to protect them at all times. We must live up to this expectation," said De Leon.