NDCC: Suspect in Cotabato City blast released

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have released for lack of evidence a teacher who was picked up for questioning in connection with Sunday's deadly bombing near a cathedral in Cotabato City that killed five people and wounded dozens others. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Monday the "suspect," identified as one Paul Mayor, had no criminal record. "The Cotabato City Police Office apprehended a suspect identified as Paul Mayor, a teacher in North Upi, Maguindanao, but (Mayor) was released for lack of evidence and/or has no criminal record," it said in an update posted on its website. On the other hand, the NDCC reported fragments from the site of Sunday's deadly bombing had signs the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)'s Special Operations Group was behind it. But it also noted the MILF had denied and condemned the bombing incident, with spokesman Eid Kabalu calling it "against all Islamic principles and humanity." "Result of investigations revealed that the bomb explosion was perpetrated by the MILF-SOG as per signature marks left in the recovered bomb fragments," it said. Earlier in the day, Armed Forces information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Sunday's bombing had signs of a test-bombing mission of secessionist rebels. "Maraming nangyari in the past na sila ang may kagagawan. Ayon kay Lt. Col. Ponce, ang SOG ay katatapos lamang magdaos ng training sa bomb making. Ang nakikita natin parte ito ng test mission nila," Brawner said in an interview on dzXL radio. [We have seen past instances where the MILF’s Special Operations Group was involved. According to Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the MILF-SOG had just finished a training in bomb-making and there are signs latest bombing was a test mission.] Tightened security In the meantime, the NDCC said the Armed Forces' Task Force Tugis and local police continued to tighten security measures in and around Cotabato City. The Army's 603rd Infantry Battalion also beefed up security forces in the city. Meanwhile, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo called for sobriety amid the outrage felt by residents and relatives of those affected by the blast. "Ang unang reaksyon ng mga tao ay galit lalo na ng mga kamag-anak at kaibigan ng mga namatay at nasugatan [The first reaction of residents was anger, especially those whose loved ones died or were wounded]," Bagaforo said on Church-run Radio Veritas. Excerpts of his interview were posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website Monday afternoon. Bagaforo said that after the incident, he presided over another Mass where he said there is "no room for violence because it will cause more violence." He also noticed a decrease in churchgoers in the succeeding Masses in the city Sunday. "This only shows people were frightened as there were several who were confused by the sudden and violent turn of events," Bagaforo said. He said he called on residents "assuring everyone that everything is under control and everything will be normal" although he admitted it will take a long time for people to recover. Notre Dame University had to postpone its classes today because most of its students were at the cathedral when the explosion took place, the CBCP article said. Bagaforo also said experts will have to address the students’ trauma before they return to their normal classes. He added they have always reminded people to be wary of packages left behind by unidentified people and report the same to the authorities at the soonest possible time. Appeal for sobriety Bagaforo said Fr. Edwin De Gracia, the cathedral rector, will implement security measures not only in the cathedral but its perimeter through the Philippine military personnel who have been trained for the purpose. He said he will again call on Cotabato City residents to remain calm as he appealed for sobriety. "Maging mahinahon tayo, huwag idaan sa dahas at pag-ibayuhin natin an gating pagdarasal as there is power in prayers and third, kung mayroon tayong maitutulong kahit kaunti, marami ang naging biktima, karamihan ay mahihirap vendors, bystanders na dapat nating tulungan," he said. [We must remain sober. Let us not be violent, and let us turn to prayer power. And if we can help the victims, most of whom are vendors and bystanders, let us do so.] - GMANews.TV