Thursday, October 18, 2007 Authorities foil Tacurong bomb try
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Government security forces foiled Wednesday a bomb attempt in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province.
Superintendent Joel Limson, Tacurong police chief, said the improvised explosive device fashioned out of three 60 mm mortar shells was planted at the public market.
"The bomb, contained in a black bag, was designed to kill or maim people. Fortunately, we prevented another bloody incident due to the vigilance of the citizens," he said.
Limson said the explosive was discovered at around 5:30 a.m. at the portion of the public market where "ukay-ukay" stalls are located.
Wednesday is public market day for Tacurong City, Limson said, adding the bomb was rigged with a clock set to explode between 8-9 a.m., a time when many people will be in the market.
The explosive was defused by Army explosive experts and turned over to Task Force Talakudong for custody, the police official said.
Based on initial investigation, Limson said the recovered explosive has the "signature" of the Indonesian militant group Jemaah Islamiya.
"The explosive appeared to be similar to the bomb that exploded recently in Kidapawan City (in North Cotabato)," he said.
On October 5, a twin blast rocked Kidapawan City, killing two persons and injuring 30 others.
Due to the spate of bombings in the southern Philippines this year, foreign governments such as the United States, Australia, and United Kingdom have issued travel advisories against Mindanao through their respective embassies in Manila.
Limson commended the unidentified ukay-ukay stall owner for immediately calling in authorities after he saw the bag thrown toward a concrete barrier next to the public market.
He noted that the citizen's help in the fight against terrorism is crucial since the police or the military has limited personnel or resources.
Tacurong City has been the site of several bombings, the latest of which was last July 18, involving a Yellow Bus Line Inc. unit parked at the overland terminal.
Three persons were injured in the attack that authorities believed was the handiwork of extortionists.
Last May, a powerful bomb exploded near the Tacurong public market killing three and wounding nearly 30 others. (BSS)
