Abu Sayyaf tagged in Zambo hotel blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said the bombing of a hotel here Sunday that killed three persons and wounded 27 others could be part of the simultaneous bombing attacks of the Abu Sayyaf.

Robredo, who planed in here yesterday to personally assess the situation, said there is big possibility that only one group directed the bombing here and in Isabela City.

The DILG chief held a closed-door security meeting with Mayor Celso Lobregat, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, Isabela City Mayor Cherilyn Akbar, top police and military officials and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency director Triponio Salazar, at the City Hall conference room. He also visited the site of the bombing.

He ordered heightened security including the additional deployment of police forces and the cancellation of all mission orders (MOs) and memorandum of receipt (MR) of firearms to civilians and assets in this city and in Basilan; and the strict implementation of a total gun ban.

“If these (measures) will not be enough, we might also cancel the permit to carry firearms outside the residence,” he said.

He said the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines are coordinating the order to cancel the issuance of the MOs and MRs while local government officials have been advised of the total gun ban.