QUEZON CITY, Philippines – One of the suspects in the bomb attack on South Seas Mall in Cotabato City yielded to authorities on Sunday evening (January 6), according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 12.
Police Regional Office 12 Director PCSupt. Eliseo Rasco said Salipudin Pasandalan was turned in by his relatives after they saw his image on television as one of the persons implicated in the blast on December 31 that killed two people and injured 34 others.
“Ongoing ang ating investigation and this morning ang directive ko doon sa SITG commander ay mai-file na ang kaso within today,” Rasco said.
Rasco noted, however, that Pasandalan still refuses to speak of the incident and he wants to be with his lawyers all the time.
“Wala pa tayong nakikitang grupo kase makikita natin kung sino ang personalities and group behind kapag meron na tayong nakuhang tao at meron na siyang binanggit na personalities and group,” the Director added.
But Rasco added that their evidence against Pasandalan are strong, based on the results of the investigation on the CCTV footage that was recovered in the blast site.
The CCTV footage showed a suspect placing the bomb at the counter at the second floor of the said mall.
“Kung makikita ninyo ang kuha ng CCTV sa Lotto outlet. Siya ang kumu-cover dito sa bata. Siya habang nilalagay noong naka-back pack ang second IED dito sa shelve ng Lotto card,” Rasco further explained.
Among the angles that the police are looking into are the retaliation of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) after Pasandalan’s young brother was killed in a military operation in December 27; intense political rivalry; and the participation of Dawlah Islamiya Group in the bombing. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
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