3rd suspect in Davao City cinema blasts identified

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Authorities have identified a third person believed behind the twin bombings that hit the cinemas of two malls here last week.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has put up another P1-million reward for the arrest of the third suspect on top of the P2 million for each of the two suspects police earlier had identified.

“Simply, terror is the name of the game here. But they are not residents of Davao City. We know where they used to live or inhabit but we cannot divulge it. It will just jeopardize the operation,” Duterte told reporters in a short press briefing after a command conference yesterday.

The third suspect reportedly acted as lookout in the explosions that struck Cinema 1 of SM City along Quimpo Boulevard and Cinema 5 of Gaisano Mall along JP Laurel Avenue here.

One of the suspects reportedly planted the improvised explosives in each of the two mall cinemas while the other bought 21 nine-volt batteries in a local store.

Meanwhile, Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 24 last Sept. 20 mandating all shopping malls and commercial centers in the city to install, operate and maintain high-end and high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras positioned within eye level of an average-height person.

The establishments were also directed to subject every individual to a body search or inspection, particularly those wearing caps and sunglasses with dark lenses; and install CCTV cameras at the entrance and exit points of cinemas and common hallways leading to all comfort rooms.

Duterte said the new EO is designed to tighten security in shopping centers and other commercial establishments, and anyone who refuses to follow this shall not be allowed to enter these establishments.

All individuals wearing caps, hats, helmets, bonnets, headgear, and the like, as well as sunglasses or any dark-lens eye wear, are mandated to remove these during security inspection, the EO said.