Yt Framework

Two bombings struck Thursday night in the city, the first one in the bus at Maria Clara Lobregat Highway (MCLL) Highway in Barangay Guiwan and the second near a mosque along Suterville Road in Barangay Campo Islam, wounding six bus passengers including a two-year old boy.

The wounded passengers in the bus explosion who were rushed to the Western Mindanao Medical Center (WMMC) were identified as Daniel alias Renier Palanas y Navatos, 22, of Barangay Sta. Catalina; Rochel Sumpo y Villanueva, 15, of Ayala; Rizzybeth Palomar Maraña, of Buayan, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; and her 2-year-old son Mac-Owen.

Blast victims also taken to Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) were identified as Lando Padilla y Canlas, 32, of Barangay Divisoria; Sheryl Posadas y Suma, 32, of Barangay Ayala.  Another wounded admitted at Doctor’s Hospital (ZDH) was Resis Gatchalian y Narciso, 56, of Barangay Guiwan.

Except Palanas, all the other wounded victims who sustained minor injuries were outpatients, is presently admitted at ZCMC for further medication, according to local attending physicians.

No one was either killed or injured in the second explosion that took place outside of the Masjid al-Imam al-Mandi mosque just near Barangay Campo Islam.

Authorities said the first bomb that exploded at Rural Transit Bus with plate number JVE 212 and body number 9224 was driven by Ramil Olivar y Pontemayor with his bus attendant Benjie Parantar while ferrying about 24 passengers to this city.

Olivar and Parantar were speechless when interviewed by the media. They complained of pain and dizziness upon coming down from the bus.

Tetuan Police Station commander Chief Inspector Elmer Acuna said an explosion went off at the bus while reaching the intersection of Apolinario Loop and MCLL Highway in Guiwan, particularly in front of La Plaza Verde Traveller’s Inn at about 9:30 p.m.

According to the bomb probers, the back portion of the bus had come from Pagadian City and was on its way to Zamboanga City.

Over an hour, another explosion went off along Suterville Road while Muslim faithfuls were performing the Ramada prayer inside the mosque. The IED was planted near an electric post just a few meters from the gate of the mosque, according to police.

A team of Post Blast Investigators (PBI) of the local police Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) rushed to the blast site to collect IED components.

Authorities still looking for motive in two explosions but have so far found out that the improvised explosive device (IED) used in the second explosion has the same component as the first one. They said bus bombings are usually done for extortion.

A police bomb expert, who requested anonymity, said that they have recovered some parts of cellular phone, believed to be Nokia 3310, and its battery and blasting components.

Authorities still looking for motive in two explosions but have so far found out that the improvised explosive device (IED) used in the second explosion has the same component as the first one. They said bus bombings are usually done for extortion.

The bomb probers also said the explosive might have been placed inside a bag and kept it at the back portion of the bus as evidence of the damages due to the impact incurred by the vehicle.   

PBI experts continues to collect possible evidence from the damaged bus which is presently impounded at Camp Eduardo Batalla in Cawa-Cawa, R.T. Lim Boulvard, this city.

The incident came in the wake of recent spate of shooting incidents in the different areas of the city that saw the killings and woundings of dozens of people, including businessmen, ordinary civilians, policemen, government and private workers.

A group condemned last Tuesday's two bombings in the city, describing "this is an act of disrespect to the peace that Muslims and Christians pray for, as Eid'l Fitr comes near."

In a text message, Amirah Lidasan, leader of the Suara Bangsamoro, calls for sobriety while they cry for swift justice. "We hope that this would not be used to fan a religious discontent or frame up an innocent civilian."

Some residents in Zamboanga City have again expressed fear over the latest violent incidents and said that with the bombings the city becomes more chaotic.

By Eugene Lasprilla