|
Thursday, April 03, 2003
15 die, 35 injured in wharf blast; Davao in 'state of lawlessness'
DAVAO CITY -- At least 15 people were killed and 35 others injured in an explosion last night that ripped through a wharf in Davao City, in yet another blow to an economy reeling from fears of terrorism and a strange new disease.
A security official, who did not want to be named, said the blast, the second in the commercial capital of the country’s troubled south within a month, appeared to have been caused by a powerful improvised explosive device.
It went off near a row of food stalls and the passenger terminal at Sasa wharf.
Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia said at least 15 people were killed in the powerful blast that occurred around 7 p.m.
He described it as a “terrorist act.”
Military officials said at least 35 people were taken to hospitals for injuries, including a policeman who was among three teams of Sasa policemen assigned to secure the major passenger and cargo port.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday night’s explosion was the handiwork of terrorists and did not rule out the possible involvement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“We’ll just bite the bullet and expect more. The government will respond appropriately,” Duterte said, after a phone conversation with President Arroyo and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes.
Sun.Star learned late Wednesday night that the President declared Davao City under “a state of lawlessness.” Arroyo, who was in Dakak in Zamboanga del Norte, is expected to check on the situation in Davao Thursday.
Witnesses said the blast was so strong that some of the victims were charred and dismembered.
Who’s to blame?
As of Wednesday night, nobody claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Last March 4, a powerful explosion ripped through Davao City International Airport’s waiting area, killing 21 people and wounding more than 140 others.
Government blamed the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim separatist group, for the airport blast but the rebels flatly rejected the charge.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told reporters Wednesday night that his group wanted a thorough investigation on the blast “because the civilians are the ones suffering.”
“We did not have anything to do with that. Like what we said before, we are willing to cooperate in any investigation. The MILF does not hit civilians,” he said.
Kabalu said that immediately after the bombing, an aide of Mayor Duterte called him up to ask about possible MILF involvement.
National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said security had been tightened but declined to speculate on those behind the blast at the Sasa wharf.
“Let the investigations be completed,” he told reporters.
Vendors, passengers
The bomb was placed inside a box left beside a barbecue stall outside the fenced passenger terminal that was packed with passengers, bystanders and vendors when it exploded at 7:13 p.m.
The explosion occurred few minutes after passenger vessel Superferry 15 arrived from Manila while another vessel, Filipina Princess, was boarding passengers who were bound for Cebu City.
Most of the victims were vendors and people milling around the stalls five meters away from Gate 1 of the passenger terminal, along the sidewalk of the Philippine-Japan National Highway.
Chief Insp. Robert Abadia, who was in the area during the explosion, said three teams were already deployed at the Sasa port passenger terminal.
Sasa wharf is 10 kilometers from the city center and services cargo and passenger vessels coming in from various parts of the island.
Pete Gaer, an employee of the Philippine Ports Authority, said security at the seaport was tightened after the airport bombing. (AFP/Sun.Star Davao)
Related stories:
Death toll rises in Davao blasts; MILF denies hand in airport attack
Abu Sayyaf owns Davao airport blast
US nat'l among 19 killed in Davao blast; mayor vows more arrests
(April 3, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
More explosions rock Davao