POLICE investigators are looking into possible security lapses in Camp Asturias in Jolo, Sulu where an improvised explosive device went off Saturday during Christmas Mass in a chapel inside the police camp.
Eleven persons were injured, including Fr. Ricky Baculcol who was saying the Mass.
Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu Jr., chief of the PNP directorate for integrated police operations-Western Mindanao, said the bomb carrier could have posed as a churchgoer or could have asked someone to bring the IED inside the Asturias Evangelical Chapel which is near one of the camp’s gates.
The PNP Special Action Force is securing the gates of the camp.
Scene-of-the-crime operatives recovered parts of a cellphone, and a black plastic bag containing the plastic bomb.
The IED exploded at the right side wing roof of the chapel at around 7:15 a.m. The church’s roof and altar were damaged.
Close to a hundred people were hearing Mass.
The eight injured were Emma Tan, 29, Ma. Antonette Quinones, 32, Joshua Quibang, 16, Noel Indana, 33, Anna Marie Girasul, 9, Johnny Chang, 50, Trishalan Carlos, 21, and Marian Lao.
Khu said investigators have no suspects. Sulu is one of the known bailiwicks of the Abu Sayyaf group.
Khu said the situation in Camp Asturias is now back to normal but security around it has been upgraded. He said no one is being allowed to enter the church as crime scene investigators are still processing the site.
The result of the post blast investigation could be out by today, he added.
Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon said differences between Muslims and Catholics could be a reason for the attack.
“There are a few whose views are very fundamental. They do not understand our reason for being here, which is to help,” he said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
“Maybe they feel insulted by what we do. For them, it is maybe a sign of the permanency of the Christian presence.” he added.
Lampon noted Muslims make up about 97 percent of the Sulu population. – With Gerard Naval
- Business Insight
- National
Article source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/12272010/news2.html
Category: Cell Phone Security
