Gov’t forces tracing groups behind failed bombing

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A powerful bomb that failed to explode after four tries of remotely detonating it near a power plant station is now giving a lead to the authorities in tracking down the groups behind the failed attack, according to a police official.

Two agents of the Australian Federal Police have been dispatched to assist the local police in identifying the type of bomb and give technical assistance to the authorities.

The US also provided the police explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) unit with a water blaster that would be used to defuse improvised explosive device.

City police director Senior Superintendent Lurimer Detran said the sophisticated improvised bomb, concealed in a black plastic bag, was recovered after it was placed in a roadside store fronting the Zamboanga Electric Cooperative (Zamelco) office and power plant Saturday along the Maria Clara Lobregat Highway in Barangay Putik.

Police said the bomb was believed intended to be planted in the electric cooperative office but was prevented due to a very tight security.

Detran said the IED placed under scrutiny at the police crime lab composed of a kilo of TNT, a kilo of one-inch common nail, a shrapnel, nine-volt battery, a Christmas light as initiator, and connected with a Nokia 3315 cellphone as activator.

The bomb was believed to have been triggered remotely four times but did not initiate before it was discovered by the store occupant.

“My husband said he found a cellphone attached in a tin can. But when he took notice of the wires connected inside, he knew it was a bomb and alerted us to run away,” Teofila Perez said.    – Roel Pareño