THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified on Wednesday, August 1, that only 10 persons were confirmed dead in the bombing incident in Lamitan City on July 31.
AFP spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) member who was earlier reported dead is still breathing but in a critical condition in the hospital.
READ: Basilan blast kills child, 10 others
Arevalo said there is no indication that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is involved in the incident as claimed by the terror group.
"Napakadali po sakyan ng anumang grupo na sila ang responsable diyan lalo na kung talagang grupo (nila) sapagkat ika nga po, pogi points po 'yan sa kanila (It's very easy for these terror groups to claim responsibility for such incidents because it's a plus point for them)," Arevalo said.
"Sa ngayon po, wala po tayong indikasyon na 'yan ay ISIS. Subalit, sinasabi po natin, we are not discounting that possibility. Nandun rin po yan, within the realm of possibility (For now, there's no indication that the ISIS is behind the blast, but we are not discounting the possibility)," he added.
An improvised explosive device (IED) placed inside a van exploded in a checkpoint in Sitio Bulanting, Barangay Colonia in Lamitan City shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 31.
Among those killed were a soldier, four Cafgu personnel, and four civilians, including a child and a woman who were relatives of the killed Cafgu personnel.
The driver of the van who allegedly detonated the explosive died in the incident.
In a statement carried by the Amaq news agency, the ISIS claimed responsibility for the incident, which it calls a “martyrdom operation.”
Arevalo said based on initial investigation, the Abu Sayyaf Group remains to be the primary suspect in the bloody incident but they are not crossing out the possibility that other groups may also be involved.
Basilan is known to be a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, which is involved terror attack and kidnapping for ransom.
"Yan po ang indikasyon na nakita namin as of yesterday na kumbaga ang signature po niyan or ang merong interest na magawa 'yang pag-atake na 'yan o pagpapasabog na 'yan ay ang grupo ng Abu Sayyaf (There's an indication that the Abu Sayyaf is the one behind the blast)," he said.
Arevalo also said earlier that the driver of the van was identified to be one of the follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama based in Basilan.
He said they are also looking at the possibility that the attack was architected by “peace spoilers” who are against the newly signed Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana condemned the incident, but urged the public not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding it nd let the security forces finish the investigation.
“It is important to note that the explosive did not reach its intended objective because of our alert security forces. Sadly, some of them paid the ultimate price for protecting our people. Our hearts reach out to all the loved ones they have left behind,” he said.
“We will do everything within our power to get to the bottom of this incident and we will apply the full force of the law on the perpetrators. I assure the loved ones of those who perished that your government is grieving with you and that we will provide you with all the support that we can possibly give,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)