Witnesses told probers the suspects panicked upon seeing the black-uniformed SWAT operatives doing the rounds at around 5:30 a.m. to ensure the safety of early churchgoers attending the last Simbang Gabi on Christmas eve.
"Bago pa man naming malapitan ang mga suspek, agad na nagtatakbo ng mga ito at iniwan ang pillbox, kaya hindi namin kaagad nahuli," said Jojo Rodis, SWAT K-9 handler.
Probers theorized the two were setting up the bomb in apparent attempt to retaliate after a teenager was killed the other day in a pillbox explosion near the church.
Rodis said the bombs were concealed in aluminum foil and spiked with nails and broken glass.
It can be recalled that a 16-year-old tricycle driver, Reden Sumcad, died last Wednesday after getting hit by shrapnel from a pillbox bomb that exploded in front of him shortly after Simbang Gabi. — Jerry Botial