Sabal's involvement in Davao blast still unverified

THE police are still validating whether Vice Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal of Talitay town in Maguindanao is actually involved in the Roxas Night Market powerful explosion last September 2 that killed 14 people and left 70 others injured.

Sabal, along with his escort Nasser Maulana and a driver Norodin Abas, were arrested at the Cotabato Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Thursday following an arrest warrant for his involvement in illegal drugs.

The vice mayor was linked to the recent bombing incident in Davao City, after the authorities in Region 12 discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) from among the items seized from Sabal.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said the region and the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) could not confirm nor deny this report as this has yet to be transmitted to the office.

Dela Cerna said that the SITG is still carefully conducting investigation on the blast and the task group is looking into several possible motives as of the moment.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Senior Superintendent John Michael Dubria also echoed the same reaction but could not also discount the possibility that Sabal has connection to the incident.

"As far I know, he (Sabal) and his brother (Montasir) are included in a narco-list earlier revealed by President Rodrigo Duterte. He can be involved (on the incident), pwede rin wala siyang kinalaman," Dubria said.

Dubria said they are also looking at the persons of interest and added that they are conducting thorough investigation that will lead them to the bomber and the mastermind of the blast.

Philippine National Police (PNP) director Ronald dela Rosa earlier said drug lords may have a hand in the blast here in Davao City, which prompted Duterte to declare a state of national emergency.