Sunday, January 21, 2007 Police release sketch of blast suspect By Rommel G. Rebollido
POLICE authorities here released a cartographic sketch of a man suspected to have set the explosive that killed six and injured some 30 others in General Santos City Wednesday night.
Police formed Task Force Triple "B," a special body that will determine all aspects behind the triple explosions in this city and Cotabato and Kidapawan cities.
The task force, headed by Region 12 police deputy director for operations Roland Dalangin, is composed of the police offices in the affected cities, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Police Crime Laboratory.
Region 12 police director German Doria said a female witness gave the description of the suspect, which became basis for the sketch.
The sketch was that of a medium-built male in late 20s, about 5'7" in height with cropped hair.
Doria said the explosive used in Cotabato City that killed one and injured five has the signature of the Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf Group.
He, however, said they are still trying to determine the kind of explosives used in the blasts here and in Kidapawan City.
Meanwhile, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said they are looking into three possible angles in Wednesday's explosion.
He said one possible motive could be that of a numbers game bettor who was not paid his winnings by a gambling operator. The bomb went off in front of a Lotto betting station.
Acharon said it could be meant to embarrass the tripartite conference of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCH) and Malaysian-led International Monitoring team being held in this city.
The JCCCH has issued a joint statement condemning the deadly blasts, saying the incident could not dampen the spirit of the people in pursuing the peace process.
Acharon said the third motive could be a destabilization move by armed groups. He did not elaborate.
