'High-profile politician behind Kudarat blast'

MANILA, Philippines - Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu yesterday tagged a “high-profile” politician as the mastermind of a bomb attack in Sultan Kudarat last Aug. 15 that left two persons dead.

Mangudadatu, however, declined to identify the politician, saying the charges have yet to be filed.

But the governor said a witness executed an affidavit identifying the politician as the alleged mastermind of the attack in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

Mangudadatu said this affidavit bolstered his belief that he was the real target of the attack.

At least two persons were killed when a bomb planted in a sedan car went off while the seven-vehicle convoy of Mangudadatu was passing the highway linking the cities of Tacurong and Koronadal.

Mangudadatu was riding a bullet-proof vehicle during the incident.