The 4,000 children who were attending a feeding program were the original targets of the Lamitan blast that killed 10 people and wounded 8 on July 31, authorities said on Friday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed that the bomb-rigged van was supposed to explode at the plaza where the children were expected to gather.

However, the van failed to reach its target location when it broke down at Magwakit Detachment in Brgy. Colonia, Lamitan, Basilan.

Lorenzana said members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) even helped in pushing the van to jumpstart it when one of them noticed the wires and IED components inside the vehicle.

It was when the CAFGU called for backup from the scout rangers who were two Kilometers away from the Magwakit Detachment.

As the scout rangers were approaching, the driver, who authorities believe was Moroccan, panicked and detonated the bomb for fear of being arrested. — Lea Ylagan

Lamitan bombing suspect, Indalin Jainul

BASILAN, Philippines – Authorities nabbed a preacher or uztadz in connection with the bombing incident at a CAFGU detachment in Lamitan City, Basilan on Tuesday (August 1).

The suspect, identified as Indalin Jainul, was caught in possession of a fragmentation grenade.

He was charged with  illegal possession of explosion while other charges of multiple murder and multiple serious physical injuries are being crafted.

Jainul’s kin stood in defense of the suspect and claimed he went missing on Tuesday.

Jainul was already in jail in Lamitan City Police station when his relatives found out about his whereabouts. – UNTV News & Rescue

AFP Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr and WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Arnel dela Vega

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is running out of resources, that’s why they resort to extorting money from the communities.

This is the main reason that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees behind the bombing incident at Sitio Colonia in Lamitan, Basilan on Tuesday (July 31).

According to AFP Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr., the bandit group is in dire need of money to fund their operation.

“Base doon sa information at saka sa report, humihingi sila ng P50,000 sa lahat ng mga LGUs and that single action iyon na ang ginagamit nilang panakot para lahat ng mga LGUs, kung 11 mayors iyon ay times P50,000, malaking amount ng pera iyon,” said Galvez.

But the local government of Basilan maintains not giving in to the demands of the terror group even if they say that the money is in exchange for the release of their captives.

“Secondly is to gain some support kasi nakita natin na ang Abu Sayyaf sa Basilan more than 150 na iyong nagsu-surrender and they wanted to make some very strong statement and that statement is through the bombing na ito,” Galvez further said.

Meanwhile, the government is not discounting the possibility of the ASG sowing terror elsewhere.

This prompted PNP Chief Police Director General Oscar Albayalde to tighten the security in checkpoints and the implementation of Oplan Sita across the country.

“We have to be on our toes especially so here in Metro Manila, dito sa NCR, dahil malaking impact iyan pag dito. Kaya todo ang pagbabantay  natin dito,” the PNP Chief said.

“Anything can happen anything is possible. But based on our intelligence, on our data, the probability is not that high,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel De Vega, AFP Western Mindanao Commander, when asked about the probability of the terrorist attacks.

The military, meanwhile, appealed to the public not speculate but to stay calm instead and let the authorities do their respective jobs. – Dante Amento / Marje Pelayo