No proof foreigner involved in Lamitan explosion: AFP

August 1, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Armed Forces chief of staff, on Wednesday said there is no evidence a foreigner was involved in the bomb explosion in Lamitan City, Basilan where 11 persons were killed.

Galvez said it was just an afterthought the driver of the van loaded with explosives was a foreign-looking individual.

“It is very unlikely a foreigner will perpetrate alone considering he is not familiar with the terrain,” Galvez said in a press conference in Camp Navarro here.

He said from all indications it was the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and that the motive was extortion.

“There is no definite and factual evidence that could point its (driver) foreign looking. It was darks inside the van,” Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said.

Dela Vega appealed to the public not to make speculation concerning the incident “otherwise they will serve as the spokesman of the terrorists.”

Dela Vega said it is also unlikely that the driver of the van was a suicide bomber since improvised explosive devices were being transported to its target place.

“There is that strong possibility the driver is just a courier and he doesn’t know anything about explosive, it (van) was rigged,” he said.

Galvez said the van was carrying improvised bombs consisting of two of 20-liter gallon and one big cattle.

The van suddenly exploded while the troops was about to inspect the vehicle, which was flagged down at a checkpoint in the tri-boundary of barangays Bulanting, Colonia and Maganda in Lamitan City, Basilan. DMS