NBI: Bomb maker was not Col. Torres

The mysterious Henry Hidalgo, the alleged bomb maker who was killed last week in an explosion at his Muntinlupa City house, was not the elusive "middleman" of the Dec. 30 bombings, the National Bureau of Investigation said.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco told reporters yesterday that Hidalgo is not the elusive "Colonel Torres" who is now being hunted by government agents. Wycoco said that Hidalgo was not recognized by witnesses who knew Torres.

"Hidalgo is not the Colonel Torres we are tracking down. He has no connection with the Rizal Day bombing. Witnesses failed to match him with sketches of Torres," said Wycoco.

At least 20 persons were killed and at least one hundred people were hurt when bombs exploded in various places in Metro Manila.

Wycoco said the elusive "Colonel Torres," was the alleged "middleman" between the bombings’ mastermind and the persons who planted the bombs.

Earlier, the NBI said there was a chance that Hidalgo may be linked to the Dec. 30 bombings because purchase receipts for explosive components found in his house, were dated shortly before Dec. 30. – Mike Frialde