Cops eye extortion, grudge behind Lanao Norte blasts

Local police suspect extortion, or personal grudge was behind two separate explosions at a village in the municipality of Lana, Lanao del Norte, last week. Philippine National Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Orlando Benas said the PNP is looking at two possible causes of the blasts from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). No injuries or casualties were reported in the incidents. Benas said he received a text message suggesting that a certain Jamal, an alleged spokesperson for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Bravo was asking for a revolutionary tax. Meanwhile, two rival youth groups had been known to meet in Barangay Maranding, where the blasts happened, fueling suspicions the incidents could have stemmed from the rivalry. 35th Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Colonel Ferdinand Rasalan said the first explosion happened on June 1, around 12:15 a.m., while the second happened on June 2 around 3:15 a.m. at the national highway near a gas station in the same village. Lana Vice Mayor Renino Longcob told GMA News, “We are still waiting for the police to report on the incidents. Our town is enjoying a normal peace and order situation." Longcod saidt the incidents were only isolated cases, and that in Maranding, the business center of Lana, life was going on as usual. — Mariz Revales, with Bea Cupin/LBG, GMA News