FBI probes Davao hotel blast

DAVAO CITY — Agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrived here yesterday to investigate Thursday’s blast in a local hotel that injured a 60-year-old British-American physician.

Honolulu-based FBI special agent John Gray and a companion, accompanied by vice consul Michael Newbill of the US Embassy in Manila, visited the victim, Michael Miering, at the Davao Doctors Hospital.

Miering was seriously injured when an explosive went off inside his room (No. 305) at the Evergreen Hotel. He suffered third-degree burns and his legs had to be amputated.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte believes that the incident was an isolated case and not a terrorist act. He nevertheless ordered hotels in the city to beef up security to prevent similar incidents.

Sources said Miering replied to the FBI agents’ queries by scribbling his answers on a yellow pad paper. He could hardly talk and had difficulty hearing.

The FBI agents also inspected Miering’s hotel room, where had been stayed during his visits here in the past 10 years. He arrived last Dec. 14.

They quizzed local folk about Miering’s lifestyle and the people he had dealt with. The day before the blast, he was said to have met with a certain "Sato," a Japanese who processes gold ore in Davao del Norte, inside his hotel room for about an hour.

Although a Briton by birth, Miering has settled in the United States and is a legitimate holder of an American passport.

He was reportedly engaged in treasure hunting and had had dealings with gold processors in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley and with nickel traders in South Cotabato and Central Mindanao.

Newbill reportedly made arrangements with the Davao Doctors Hospital. Miering’s bill has amounted to over P300,000 in just three days.

Newbill assured the hospital that payments will be drawn from Miering’s health insurance in the US, as Miering’s wife Angela relayed in a long-distance call from California yesterday.

A problem cropped up yesterday when the hospital demanded P60,000 as downpayment. "We do not know where to get the money since Michael (Miering) has no money and I do not have money too," said the victim’s friend, Stephen Hughes, who signed the hospital documents.

Meanwhile, in North Cotabato, police still have no clues on who could be behind Thursday’s bombing in Midsayap town which injured nine people, including a policeman.

"We shall continue to be vigilant and avoid speculations which will only create a wave of terror that can somehow affect our common effort in fighting criminal elements," said North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol.

Authorities said two of the victims, Alejandro Capanas, 62, and Mary Jane Cago, 10, are still in critical condition.

Probers said the explosive, fashioned from incendiary chemicals mixed with nails, was left by a tall, dark-complexioned man inside an eatery in the market.

"It was neatly wrapped. It looked like a gift. It had a ribbon and a greeting card," a witness said. — With John Unson