PNP chief tags 2 Sulu gov rivals in Zambo blast

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa on Saturday identified two politicians said to be rivals of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan as suspects in the Zamboanga airport bombing last Thursday, which left two dead and 24 others hurt. Verzosa said in a briefing on Saturday that Temogen “Cocoy" Tulawie and Muammar Askali — both members of political clans that have challenged Tan in previous elections — are now subjects of a manhunt for their possible involvement in the blast. The Sulu governor was among the 24 people hurt after a man carrying a backpack reportedly detonated explosives outside the passenger terminal of the Zamboanga airport, shortly after Tan stepped out of a plane. (See: 2 dead in Zamboanga airport blast ahead of US envoy visit)
Also named as suspects were the two fatalities in the blast: Hatamil Yakob and Renaldo Apilado, who reportedly carried the explosives. The PNP chief also said the airport bombing may be linked to a failed assassination attempt on Tan in Patikul town last year, also allegedly ordered by Tulawie and Askali. Security in the country’s major airports and ports have already been tightened following the bombing of the Zamboanga airport, Verzosa said.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV