Philippine police blame fatal bombing on Abu Sayyaf

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The police chief of a southern Philippine city where a strong explosion left one person dead and 10 others injured this week has blamed the attack on the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf.

Zamboanga City’s police director, Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro, told Anadolu Agency Friday that he believes the Abu Sayyaf was behind the bombing Thursday night at a venue that operates as a massage parlor and karaoke bar.

He said police had gathered intelligence linking the militant group to the explosion at around 9:47 p.m. (1447GMT) that killed the cashier of the Manly Massage.

The information gathered before the attack also indicated that the Abu Sayyaf was plotting to stage a bombing in Zamboanga City targeting Philippine soldiers on rest and recreation from the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan -- known strongholds of the group.

Investigators are trying to determine the identity of a teenager who witnesses said had been acting suspiciously inside the parlor just minutes before the explosion.

Parlor employees who spoke with Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity for security reasons said that a young man, believed to be no older than 20-years-old, had arrived shortly before 9 pm. and ordered an energy drink after sitting down.

While drinking the beverage, he borrowed a songbook from the karaoke machine before leaving the bar.

Shortly after, an improvised explosive device went off under the table where the teenager had been seated, according to the employees, who said the same person had visited the site days before without ordering anything.

Meanwhile, Supt. Felix Martinez, special investigation unit chief, told Anadolu Agency that three other individuals seen at the venue are considered suspects in the bombing, but authorities are still gathering more evidence.

Zamboanga’s vice mayor, Cesar Iturralde, said the city government was at hand to ensure that the victims of the attack received assistance.

“We strongly condemn this act of terror, which created panic and destruction, killing and wounding innocent victims,” he said in a press statement. “Whoever did this will face the consequences of the law.”

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.

It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to have been paid for their release.