text & photos HADER GLANG
Aftermath of bomb blast Tuesday night at Plaza Pershing situated right in the heart of Zamboanga City. At least 14 people were injured in the bomb explosion.Police here on Wednesday confirmed that a shrapnel-packed improvised explosive device was used in Tuesday night's bomb explosion at the heart of the city, where 14 people were injured.
The blast, which occurred at around 7:30 p.m., reduced a concrete bench to halve and shattered windows of establishments near the Plaza Pershing, along I. Magno Street.
Senior Superintendent Manuel Barcena, city police chief, said the bomb explosion was triggered by an alarm clock.
"The bomb was placed in a bag and left in a concrete bench," Barcena said. "Our bomb squad recovered some parts of the explosive."
He said the investigators are still determining if the blast was terrorist-related. "We can't conclude yet if the explosion was the work of Abu Sayyaf or any other groups."
"What is clear now, the bombing was not intended to kill people. I think the perpetrator of the bombing just wanted to send message."
A bombing in October 2001 at a food stand in a crowded plaza in downtown Zamboanga killed 11 people and injured 50 others. And a series of bombings in 2004 and 2005 also occurred in the heart of the city.
Police and military authorities blamed the Al Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the past bomb attacks in the city, where dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured.
Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City police office urged the public to be vigilant against possible terror attacks.
"We need the cooperation of the community to address this threat," Barcena said.
When asked if there was a police security lapses, he said: "We wont admit that there is security lapses. We've been serving the city with all our hearts."
Police investigating the bombing incident released two cartographic sketches of three of the suspects based on the description of witnesses.
The sketches describe the two suspects as males, between 18 and 28 years old, 5'8" to 5'9" in height, slim in built, fair complexion and Tausug speaking.
In a related incident, police operatives foiled a bomb attempt at the bus terminal, few hours after a powerful explosion went off night at the heart of the city.
Police regional director Jaime Caringal said fortunately a bag containing bomb set to explode last Tuesday night at terminal was noticed unattended by some passengers in a bus enroute to Pagadian City.
"It could have been a twin bombing just like two years ago that occured in the city proper," Caringal said in a press conference at City Hall.
For his part, Zamboanga Task Force (TFZ) chief, Col. Alfredo Esperalta, said that most of the blast victims sustained shrapnel injuries. He did not elaborate.
He, instead, warned the general public, saying that even if there were arrest and recovery of explosive materials, there were no guarantee that such bombing will not occur anymore.
"That's why we would like exhort the public to help law enforcement agencies in fighting this menace of society," the task force commander said.
Security forces here were placed on full alert status. Bomb squad units were conducting mobile patrol in the different business establishments and malls in the city's commercial district.
The blast, which occurred at around 7:30 p.m., reduced a concrete bench to halve and shattered windows of establishments near the Plaza Pershing, along I. Magno Street.
Senior Superintendent Manuel Barcena, city police chief, said the bomb explosion was triggered by an alarm clock.
"The bomb was placed in a bag and left in a concrete bench," Barcena said. "Our bomb squad recovered some parts of the explosive."
He said the investigators are still determining if the blast was terrorist-related. "We can't conclude yet if the explosion was the work of Abu Sayyaf or any other groups."
"What is clear now, the bombing was not intended to kill people. I think the perpetrator of the bombing just wanted to send message."
A bombing in October 2001 at a food stand in a crowded plaza in downtown Zamboanga killed 11 people and injured 50 others. And a series of bombings in 2004 and 2005 also occurred in the heart of the city.
Police and military authorities blamed the Al Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the past bomb attacks in the city, where dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured.
Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City police office urged the public to be vigilant against possible terror attacks.
"We need the cooperation of the community to address this threat," Barcena said.
When asked if there was a police security lapses, he said: "We wont admit that there is security lapses. We've been serving the city with all our hearts."
Police investigating the bombing incident released two cartographic sketches of three of the suspects based on the description of witnesses.
The sketches describe the two suspects as males, between 18 and 28 years old, 5'8" to 5'9" in height, slim in built, fair complexion and Tausug speaking.
In a related incident, police operatives foiled a bomb attempt at the bus terminal, few hours after a powerful explosion went off night at the heart of the city.
Police regional director Jaime Caringal said fortunately a bag containing bomb set to explode last Tuesday night at terminal was noticed unattended by some passengers in a bus enroute to Pagadian City.
"It could have been a twin bombing just like two years ago that occured in the city proper," Caringal said in a press conference at City Hall.
For his part, Zamboanga Task Force (TFZ) chief, Col. Alfredo Esperalta, said that most of the blast victims sustained shrapnel injuries. He did not elaborate.
He, instead, warned the general public, saying that even if there were arrest and recovery of explosive materials, there were no guarantee that such bombing will not occur anymore.
"That's why we would like exhort the public to help law enforcement agencies in fighting this menace of society," the task force commander said.
Security forces here were placed on full alert status. Bomb squad units were conducting mobile patrol in the different business establishments and malls in the city's commercial district.
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