MANILA – A Moroccan man was behind the July 31 bombing in Lamitan City, Balisan province, according to the Department of National Defense.
Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said the Moroccan was the driver of the van that exploded at a military checkpoint in the city, killing 11 people.
“May two witnesses na naka-identify na siya ‘yun,” said Lorenzana.
He added that the intelligence report they received stated that the driver was a foreigner whose motive was to avenge the death of his children in Sulu.
“Sabi ng intelligence, 80 percent na siya (Moroccan) ‘yun kasi [siya yung] sa mga picture na nakuha nila sa Jolo,” Lorenzana said. “Mahuhuli na siya eh. So nag-suicide na lang siya. But he would not, he was not, that was not the intention.”
Prior to the blast, Lorenzana said they received information that the Abu Sayyaf was plotting to bomb a Department of Education event in Lamitan City, which was attended by thousands of children.
“We suspect that this guy was trying to bring his van sa Lamitan dun sa may plaza kasi magkakaroon ng graduation nung DepEd Feeding Program. There were about 4,000 kids who will be there that morning,” Lorenzana said.
“So ‘yun ang suspetsa naming. Dadalhin niya dun. Iparada niya nang maaga. Umalis na siya tapos i-remote control na lang nila. So we suspect na that ‘yung target talaga nila yung mga bata,” he added./PN
