TIGHTENED SECURITY. Police inspect motorists as security measures have been tightened Tuesday (May 31, 2022) in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province. Two persons were injured while four vehicles were damaged when improvised bombs exploded one after the other Monday (May 30, 2022) in Isabela City. (Photo lifted from Ronda del Basilan's Facebook Page)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police authorities are tracking down two “persons of interest” behind the twin bombings Monday that injured two persons and damaged four vehicles in Basilan province.
The blasts occurred 30 minutes apart in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan.
The first explosion occurred at 5:45 p.m. at the parking lot of a food chain outlet in the downtown area, while the second blast rocked the terminal of the D’Biel Transport Company along Valderosa Street, Barangay La Piedad.
Brig. Gen. Franco Simborio, Police Regional Office–Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) director, said the first person of interest was behind the bomb explosion at the parking lot of the food chain outlet.
“Based on CCTV footage, an unidentified male person wearing a yellow t-shirt with a cap left a cellophane at the parking area of Jollibee which later on exploded,” Simborio said in a statement Tuesday.
The second person of interest is the sender of a package from Lamitan City to Isabela City in one of the buses of D’Biel Transport Company.
Simborio said the sender told the bus conductor that it will be claimed upon arrival in Isabela City but no one surfaced to pick up the package.
“In an interview with a guard of D’ Biel motor pool, prior to the explosion thereat, he noticed an unclaimed baggage which accordingly came from one of their buses from Lamitan City,” the police official said.
Two people were injured and four vehicles of D’Biel Transport Corporation were damaged in the second explosion.
Lt. Col. Julpikar Siting, Isabela City police chief, said the explosive ordnance demolition (EOD) has yet to determine the bomb “signature” that could help identify the perpetrators.
Simborio directed all units under PRO-9 to intensify their security measures and amplify intelligence monitoring in their respective areas to ensure the public’s safety and security.
He also appealed to the public to stay calm but vigilant and to report any information on the identity or whereabouts of the perpetrators of the twin bombing in Isabela City
“We are on top of the situation, and we need the cooperation of the public to avoid the occurrence of similar incidents,” he said. (PNA)
