9 charged over Davao night market bombing

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Police yesterday filed charges against nine people tagged behind the Sept. 2 bombing of this city that killed 15 people and wounded 71 others.

Of the nine suspects, only one was identified. There were three women included in the charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder.

The identity of the principal suspect was not divulged pending further investigation, Davao City prosecutor’s office chief Nestor Ledesma said.

Davao City Police Office chief Senior Supt. Michael Dubria said the charges have been readied but there were certain documents that have to be accomplished first before these will be brought to the city prosecutor’s office for processing.

Dubria however refused to divulge the identity of the principal suspect.

Senior Supt. Valeriano de Leon, head of the Special Investigation Task Group, said only the principal suspect was named. He did not identify the suspect, citing the ongoing police operations.

He added they have a copy of the artist’s sketch of the suspect without the facemask. A taxi driver reportedly identified the suspect.

The police have invited a total of 11 “persons of interest” to gather information regarding the Sept. 2 bombing.

“We invited 11 persons of interest and then we interviewed most of the victims and we got those statements that have evidentiary value,” Dubria said.

“We are following our investigation process and then all of these information are coming from the witnesses themselves and since our investigation procedure is very elaborate, we covered all areas,” he added.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said authorities have identified the bomber who left the backpack full of explosives that went off.

Dela Rosa however did not identify the suspect, who he said belonged to a terror group based in Central Mindanao.

Dubria added the police investigators also gathered corroborating statements pointing to one primary suspect.

“We are able to describe that suspect through artist’s sketch, through personal descriptions, personal encounter and also from the pictures presented to the witnesses,” Dubria added.

“Actually we have substantial affidavits to support the filing of the case but we are trying to cover all areas by getting statements of the living witnesses, not only the living but the families of the casualties,” he said.

Dubria said they are focused on pinning the blame on the suspect although police have yet to identify the mastermind.

“As of the moment, we are focused on the primary suspect and we will be filing a case against him and he is our subject now,” he said.

Dubria said national agencies are also assisting them in investigating the Davao blast.

“All the other intelligence units in the country are coordinating to determine who were behind this, what group is behind this, who are the masterminds,” he said.

On the involvement of Talitay, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Abdul Wahab Sabal in the Davao blast, Dubria had no clear and categorical answer.

Still critical

Nineteen of 71 injured victims of the Sept. 2 bomb attack in Davao City remained confined in hospital.

Officials said they are confined at six different hospitals in the city.

Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) director Leopoldo de Vega said most of those who have been injured were already discharged.

The City’s Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) said 10 of the 19 patients are still being treated at the SPMC, one at the Brokenshire Hospital, one at Davao Doctors Hospital, another at Ricardo Limso Hospital, two at Davao Medical School Foundation, and five at the San Pedro Hospital.

At least 15 people were killed in the explosion. The latest was six months pregnant Vicenta Asperin.

Among the 19 wounded victims, only Julius Gallardo remains at the Intensive Care Unit of SPMC, while the others have been transferred to hospital rooms.

Another victim, Junaib Usman, recently underwent intestinal surgery and was transferred to a private room at the Ricardo Limso Hospital. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe