Gazmin: Zamboanga blast not act of terrorism

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the recent bombing outside the arrival area of the city airport, which killed two people, including the man carrying the explosives, and wounded 24 others, could not be considered an act of terrorism. 

“But we are waiting for the complete result of the investigation which is already about 90 percent complete. But what the investigators see (is that) it is not an act of terrorism,” said Gazmin, who visited the military camp here yesterday together with Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David.

Gazmin said President Aquino has directed investigators to get to the bottom of the incident.

Based on the investigation, the bombing targeted Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan.

Authorities are confident that they could identify the mastermind although at least three of the five people who allegedly executed the bombing have been named, including former Jolo councilor Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie. 

Tulawie has a pending arrest warrant in connection with a roadside bombing that targeted Tan in Patikul, Sulu on May 13 last year.