Politicians target of Maguindanao bomb—police

CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao, Philippines—Police authorities said the bomb that killed two suspected couriers when it prematurely went off Thursday in Datu Odin Sinsuat town might have been intended for politicians attending a gathering there.

Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac, Maguindanao police director, said among those attending a ceremony marking the town’s 17th anniversary in the town’s gymnasium was Governor Esmael Mangudadatu.

“We are looking at all angles,” he said.

Pintac said the theory on the actual targets came out because the bomb went off just a few meters away from the gymnasium, where politicians and residents had converged for the town’s 17th anniversary celebration.

“It was very clear that the motive of the bombers was to inflict multiple death or injuries to as many people,” he said, but added it was not clear yet who was behind it.

As to the identities of the suspected bomb couriers blasted to death, Pintac said the police were still trying to establish that.

“They remain unidentified, no relatives have so far come forward to claim the remains,” he said.

Datu Umbra Sinsuat of the Sinsuat clan said the two fatalities were not residents of Datu Odin.

Pintac Scene of the Crime Operatives were also trying to determine the exact composition of the improvised explosive device.

He said initial investigation showed the bomb was fashioned out from a mortar shell.