Primary suspect in Davao blast identified

President Rodrigo Duterte visits the blast site along Roxas night market in Davao City on September 3. Presidential Photographers Division/Robinson Ninal | By Christine C. Cudis via philstar

             

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Police have already identified the primary suspect to the deadly blast at Roxas Avenue in Davao City on September 2 which killed 15 and injured 70.

On Wednesday's press conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), former city Director Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria announced that the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Night Market have already identified the suspect who brought the shoulder bag which contained the improvised explosive device (IED).

Dubria, however, refused to reveal the name of the primary suspect pending the charges to be filed before the city prosecution office here. He said that aside from the primary suspect, they are also looking into "five John Does and a Jane Doe."

The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region earlier confirmed that the IED was made of a 60 millimeters and one 81 millimeters ammunition, which were intended to really harm and inflict maximum

The PNP as well as the AFP are taking cognizance of the inquiry.

"We are in the process of identifying them—the six other persons of interest—as we are getting more information, to make them responsible on their actions. As of now, the level of our investigation is already at the climax," Dubria said.

Dubria also said he could not issue any further statement over the arrest of the Talitay town in Maguindanao Vice Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal whether he is involved in the night market blast, as what other reports alleged.

"The vice mayor was not arrested in Davao City. After his (Sabal) arrest, he was brought to Camp Crame. The incident happened in Davao City. We are focusing on the primary suspect and working for his possible arrest," Dubria added.

Dubria said the primary suspect and six other persons of interest will be facing charges for multiple frustrated murder based on the substantial affidavit from witnesses, the closed circuit television (CCTV) footages and the IED fragments.

Full alert status is still observed by security forces in Davao City due to terror threats following the Roxas night market blast. The DCPO with the Task Force (TF) Davao had doubled its security measures to ensure the safety of the people.