Cops bare artist sketch of 'persons of interest' in Makati bus blast

The Philippine National Police on Friday released artist sketches and computer-generated images of two men who boarded the ill-fated Newman Goldliner bus and who may be able to contribute to the resolution of the passenger bus bombing that killed five people last Tuesday. Metro Manila police head Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, however, refused to tag the two yet-to-be-identified men as suspects. “They may be able to contribute to the solution of the case. As of now, they are considered not as suspects but persons of interest," he said at a briefing in Malacañang.
The illustration was based on the descriptions given by witnesses. The two men were reportedly between 30 to 35 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches in height, weighing 70 to 75 kg, medium built, and have fair complexion. Bartolome said based on the statements of witnesses, the two boarded the bus near the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City and paid the fare up to Ayala Avenue in Makati. The two men, however, disembarked at Malugay street, an area before Ayala Avenue. The men were seated on the sixth row of the bus, the spot where the bomb was placed, Bartolome said. The men were carrying a backpack when they board the bus but the witness could not recall if the bag was still with them when they alighted from the vehicle. With this information, Bartolome expressed confidence that they are now half way through solving the bombing. “If we have a good lead (such as the sketch of the two men) pwede sabihin na nakakakalahati na," Bartolome. Aside from this, the police were able to identify the type of bomb used, the triggering device and the possible angles to pursue. However, the police did not set any deadline for the investigation so as not to subject themselves to unnecessary pressure. Investigation of this sort is really tedious kaya hindi mamadaliin. We would rather that the investigation be very cautious that will lead to the real solution of the case," Bartolome said. Even President Aquino did not give the PNP a deadline, but asked the organization to exhaust all means to identify the perpetrators, he added. For his part, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia said they don’t want to single out any group or arrest the usual suspects to make it appear they were able to accomplish something. Asked if they have ruled out any angle in their probe, PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said no. “We have not ruled out any angle. We’re still in the process of investigation. It’s about three days after and we have to consider everything possible na maging evidence dito. So as of now, we have not ruled out anything yet," he said in the same press briefing. Even the "very remote" extortion angle is being looked into, he added. “Tinanong namin yung management ng bus company, lumalabas sa unang imbestigasyon na walang nange-extort sa kanila pero hindi kami basta hihinto doon kahit na remote ang anggulo," he said. He added they are still getting the statements of the employees and other officers of the bus corporation. — Amita O. Legaspi/LBG/JE/JV, GMANews.TV