MILF condemns CDO bombing incident

                                      

     Official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) condemned and denied having involvement in powerful explosion that rocked Cagayan de Oro City last week that left eight people  dead and injured 46 others.

       Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaapar in a telephone interview expressed his condemnation over the incident and said that his group (MILF) could not do such barbaric act and killed innocent civilians.’ We extend our condolences to the bereaved family of the innocent victims” Jaafar said.

         One of the national broadsheets published that “Rogue Muslim rebels tagged in Cagayan de Oro blast but, Jaafar disclosed “if there was an investigation such as that, are there any evidence that could point to us the action?” Jaafar assured the people that MILF has nothing to do with it. He said, they are ready to help the authorities in solving the bombing incident.

        The military intelligence community said  the bomb was made from an 81 mm mortar. Accordingly, it is normally used by extremist groups like the communist New People’s Army (NPA). Earlier, NPA issued their condemnation in relation to the blast.

        According to the military, the blast was carried out by some terrorist groups and disclosed that other than Abu Sayyaf Group, (ASG), there is also the MILF, its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the MNLF has also the capacity to carry out such terroristic attack.  

        The military source said that it might also be linked to the ongoing peace negotiations between the MILF and the government but, it has no evidence to prove it.

         The community intelligence also claimed that the bombing was set off by the group of Basit Usman, a former member of the MILF Special Operation. It  was also disclosed that the group of Usman was  on a test mission after being trained on bomb making in Lanao del Sur. “We have solid evidence  linking Usman’s group to the blast”, one of the investigator disclosed. The source also said that the bombing was carried out by the BIFF, JI and the ASG.

        Usman’s group is said to be opposed to the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

 Prior the explosion, Kyla’s Bistro in Rosario Arcade in Limketkai Complex was packed with delegates of a medical convention.

       Investigators were also attempted to link if the incident has some connections with the threat of ill starred board member Roldan Lagbas which his wife has indicated that his husband has received “death threat” a year ago.

     Weeks before the attack at the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City, citizens of the United States of America, Canada and Australia warned not to travel in Mindanao due to possible terrorist attacks.

    Chairman of the city’s Committee On Police and Public Safety, Ramon Tabor, has reported that the identity of the suspects were already known and their location which were allegedly heavily guarded by the police. 

      Tabor was briefed of the update of the investigation as the Presidential Anti –Terrorist Group arrived in the city to coordinate with the intelligence community here.” The combined forces of the military and police had finally identified the suspects in the bombing although releasing their names could be premature at the moment” Tabor as quoted in one of the regional dailies.   

     Meanwhile, in the wake of the bombing incident, three companies have cancelled plans to hold conventions in Cagayan de Oro City. Officials of the region’s Department of Tourism are also monitoring whether there are more events to be cancelled in the future.

        The tourism official’s apprehension is the slow pace of the police investigation on the bombing incident will cause more cancellations.

        Number of its annual fiesta activities have been lined up for the entire month of August.( other source from   The Manila Times and Mindanao Daily News)