Tuesday, October 09, 2007 Suspect in Kidapawan twin blasts released
POLICE released Monday a man they arrested following the twin explosions that killed two children and injured 35 others in Kidapawan City on Friday night.
George Herman, 27, who was earlier tagged by eyewitnesses as responsible for planting the bomb in front of Sheer Marketing, was released for lack of evidence.
Herman was taken into police custody shortly after the almost simultaneous explosions, which shattered vehicles and stalls in front of the department store, killing eight-year-old Annie Mae Lozada and her cousin Heidi Lozada, 12.
Annie Mae, who was with her mother selling durian fruits in front of the department store, died on the spot while Heidi succumbed to shrapnel wounds later in the hospital.
Kidapawan City Police Director Leo Ajero revealed there is not enough evidence to link Herman to the explosions.
"His background on his character and family came clean," he said, adding that the suspect has not been involved in any crime.
Herman, upon his release, said he ran for cover when the bomb exploded and allegations that he was responsible for planting the improvised explosive device are not true.
National Police Chief Avelino Razon insisted that al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah militants were responsible, and a military explosives expert said the devices used in the attacks may have borne the signatures of a terrorist organization.
Army Capt. Romeo Noriega, who collected evidence now being analyzed with the help of US military personnel on a training mission in Central MIndanao, said the first bomb was composed of a 61 mm mortar shell attached to a battery and a mobile phone as a detonator.
"Generally, it's the work of a terrorist organization," he said.
Authorities earlier speculated the bombs might have been planted by the Al-Khobar extortion gang, which has links to Moro militants and has been blamed for a series of bus bombings in recent months. (Nelson C. Bagaforo/Edgardo Fuerzas)
