Maguindanao Gov. Mangudadatu says he was target of bombing

MANILA, Philippines – Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said he was certain that he was the target of the attack in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat on Monday.

“I don’t think there was any other target but me,” Mangundadatu said on 990AM Tuesday.

Mangudadatu said that prior to the blast that killed two, including board member Russman Sinsuat, the governor had been receiving death threats.

Mangudadatu and his convoy were passing along Alunan Highway in Tacurong City when the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) occurred at 3:20 p.m. of Monday.

Raffy Parenas, a bystander, died instantly, while Sinsuat, who was aboard his own vehicle that was hit in the explosion, succumbed to injuries at 12 midnight Tuesday.

In a separate interview, Director Felicisimo Khu of the Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao said he instructed police to find a certain Mr. Reyes, owner of the white Kia Pride (MDJ-274) that was used in the bombing.

Khu said the vehicle used to be a taxi before it was sold to Reyes on August 5 for P65,000 by a taxi company. Danica Hermogenes, INQUIRER.net