Basilan concert blast: 26 hurt

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities suspect that Abu Sayyaf terrorists hurled the grenades that wounded 26 people near a hamburger restaurant in Isabela, Basilan on Tuesday night.

At Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the public must be vigilant against terrorists amid reports of plots to attack Metro Manila and urban centers in Mindanao.

“We have been preparing for this because since a few months back we have been receiving reports of plans from terrorists, particularly from the side of the Abu Sayyaf and the JI (Jemaah Islamiyah), to undertake the usual things that they do. As a matter of fact there were two such explosions in Iligan,” he said.

Ermita said the public must pay attention to any suspicious actions at any location when they are out shopping.

“This is not meant to be alarmist but just a reminder that it is very important for everyone to be prepared against any untoward incident,” he said.

The blast site was a stone’s throw from the provincial capitol and the Catholic church located across a plaza on Valderoza Street.

Lt. Steffani Cacho, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokeswoman, said some of the wounded were rushed to the Basilan Community Hospital.

“Investigation disclosed that two unidentified people on board a motorcycle threw a fragmentation grenade in front of Isabela City Jollibee fast food,” she said.

Some of the wounded are Berlinda Ganaban, 19; Arnold Esmael, 20; Rham Aron, 16; Nahji Aspara, 18; Muktar Nur, 24; Abdul Nasser, 17; Edris Husin, 20; Rexter Peralta, 22; Hajimar Sahir, 18; and Alwhidz Mohammad, 21.

Another victim, Jemar Aming, was rushed by speedboat at dawn to Zamboanga City Medical Center because of critical injuries.

Police found the safety pin lever of an MK-11 fragmentation grenade at the blast site, according to Basilan police director Senior Superintendent Salik Macapanatar.

Isabela City Mayor Cherrilyn Santos-Akbar has offered a P50,000 reward for any information that could help police identify the suspects.

Troops in Basilan have been placed on alert following the grenade attack.

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief, said his ground commanders have prevented what could have been a more destructive attack.

“The grenade was thrown at a nearby canal,” he added.

“We could not just position troops at each corner of the place so what is really needed is for the public to be vigilant and cooperate with us.” — With James Mananghaya, Marvin Sy