2 Sulu politicians probed for Zamboanga bombing

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Police are investigating the possible involvement of two politicians in last Thursday’s explosion outside the arrival area of the Zamboanga City airport that left two people dead and 24 wounded, including Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan.

“We requested our partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other intelligence agencies to conduct manhunt operations against the (politicians),” Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa told reporters.

The attack, initially suspected as a suicide bombing, may have been linked to a failed assassination attempt last year on Tan, Verzosa added. The source of the explosion was traced to the backpack carried by one of the two fatalities, Reynaldo Apilado. Also killed was Hatimil Haron Yacob of Lantawan, Basilan.

Verzosa said the police want to question three people, including two of Tan's political rivals, former Jolo councilor Temogen Tulawie, known by his nickname Cocoy, and Moamar Askali. The third is known only as Abs.

All three were at large after they were indicted along with two other suspects in the assassination attempt on Tan on May 13 last year in which four of the governor's bodyguards were wounded, Verzosa said. Tulawie and Askali belong to Sulu families that had been Tan’s election rivals. Police also said Apilado may have been duped into carrying the bag containing the explosives.The bomb was remotely triggered, but the components were different from the roadside bomb used in the Sulu attack, Verzosa said. Police also checked for evidence the Imperial Hotel in Zamboanga City where Apilado stayed for days before the bombing. “We have received information that the bomber checked in in that hotel not only for a day but many days. But we cannot reveal the exact number of days yet as it is part of our investigation,” said Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, Zanboanga City police chief.

Verzosa, in a security meeting with the Sulu governor Friday, said the latter was convinced he was the target of the bombing perpetrated by his political enemies.“

In relation to the initial feedback on our personal interview, he (Gov. Tan) believed that the attack was against his person and that it is politically motivated,” Verzosa said.

After last year’s assassination attempt on Tan, Tulawie, Askali and Abs went into hiding.Two other suspects, Solaiman Mohamad Muin and Julhan Albani Alihuddin, were captured during an encounter last year in Sulu. The two admitted their participation in the bomb attack.Verzosa said they have requested the military and other intelligence agencies to conduct manhunt operations against the three who are still at large.

Hiding places The PNP director revealed that based on intelligence reports, Tulawie and the two other suspects were in Basilan and Zamboanga del Sur, particularly in Pagadian City.

He said reports that Apilado had gone to Pagadian days before the airport explosion had bolstered suspicion that Tulawie may have had a hand in it.

“We are looking at the connection of this information that points to Pagadian City. This is one of the theories but we cannot discount all these probable interconnections,” Verzosa said.

“We are particular about this Cocoy Tulawie since warrants have been issued against him together with his cohorts who are still at large, Askali and Abs,” he added.

But Verzosa clarified that they have yet to establish the actual participation of the three in the latest violence despite their links to last year’s attempt on Tan’s life.

2nd casualty also suspect?Meanwhile, authorities said Yacob could have also been involved in the bombing.

“We are looking at the possibility of another suspect being involved and the possible linkage of Hatimil Haron Yacob,” Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Lobregat said the body of Yacob, who died of injuries in a hospital, has remained unclaimed. Islam requires the burial of its followers within 24 hours after death.

Lobregat also said Yacob and Apilado had no business staying in the vicinity of the arrival area because they were not fetching anybody from among the arriving passengers.

Verzosa also said that based on initial investigation, the remotely triggered explosion was from an ammonium nitrate bomb with fuel oil.He said assessment and analysis of evidence recovered at the scene is still ongoing.

Verzosa said a different explosive device was used in the Patikul roadside attack. It was Askali who reportedly supplied the bombs in the first attempt on Tan’s life.