PNP identifies 2 suspects who left bomb, baggage in Basilan explosions

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said two suspects who left a baggage and a bomb in the recent explosions in Isabela City, Basilan have been identified.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said authorities are now hunting down the suspects.

“Yung isang lalaki na nakita natin sa CCTV na nag-iwan ng bomba doon sa isang fast food chain at 'yung isang indibidwal na nag-iwan din ng bagahe doon sa bus dito sa isang terminal dyan ay identified na rin natin,” she said.

(The man who left a bomb near a fast food chain as seen on CCTV footage and another individual who also left a baggage in bus terminal have been identified already.)

Meanwhile, Fajardo said that on June 1, a member of a rebel group suspected responsible for the blasts in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat and Koronadal City, South Cotabato was killed in an operation.

Another member of the said group was arrested in the same operation, she added.

She said the suspected group behind the incidents in Isabela City was composed of remnants of the Abu Sayyaf, while the group behind the incidents in Tacurong City and Koronadal City was the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Fajardo said the improvised explosive devices used in these incidents were detonated through a cell phone.

On Thursday, the PNP said it is looking into possible lapses of intelligence units following the the recent bombings in Mindanao.—AOL, GMA News