Still no evidence to link Abu to Makati bus blast

MANILA, Philippines -  Police investigators still have no evidence to link an alleged Abu Sayyaf bomber to a bus blast in Makati City five months ago, which left five persons dead and injured over a dozen others, an official said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said they are still in the process of checking the background of Julane Luganao Sison, 34, a member of the Balik-Islam community of former Christians who converted to Islam.

“We are still investigating,” Pagdilao told The STAR on the case of Sison, whom the military linked to the bus bombing on EDSA-Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City last Jan. 25.

“Part of what we are doing, we filed charges against the suspect for illegal possession of explosives before the Department of Justice,” he added.

Sison was arrested in Lucena City, Quezon province by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder in Mindanao while in possession of two hand grenades, firearms, and materials to make improvised explosive devices.

Pagdilao refused to elaborate on Sison’s case pending further investigation. A reliable source, however, told The STAR that police investigators said the initial link of Sison to the bus blast was not conclusive, prompting probers to look for more evidence against the accused.

Some police officials were also surprised by the report of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines linking Sison to the bus bombing.

Police investigators claimed the military has yet to coordinate with the police regarding Sison’s arrest.