POLICE believe a Shi’ite Muslim cleric was the likely target of explosions that killed two people in Quiapo, Manila, an official said Sunday, rejecting Islamic State claims of involvement.
Six others were injured when two explosions rocked the office of the imam, Nasser Abinal, in Quiapo Saturday.
Oscar Albayalde, head of police forces in Metro Manila, said the bomb was apparently intended for Abinal who is also a government tax officer for the Manila region.
He was not at the office at the time.
“He admitted there were threats to his life in the past” while being questioned by police, Albayalde said.
The bomb was carried in a package by a GrabExpress delivery man who handed it over to an aide of Abinal just before it went off, killing them both.
As police were searching the blast site late Saturday, another explosion rocked the area, possibly from a second bomb planted earlier, said Albayalde.
“This has nothing to do with terrorism. There is no indication that this was done by a terror group, local or foreign,” he said.
The Islamic State group has claimed it staged the explosion.
“Five Shi’ites were killed and six others wounded in a bomb blast by Islamic State fighters in the center of Manila,” said a statement from Amaq, the propaganda arm of IS.
Albayalde said this was just the IS custom of taking credit for any such incidents.
The Islamic State has carried out attacks in other countries on Shi’ite sites and events.
But Albayalde said the attack seemed to be targeting Abinal, adding that it may be for personal reasons, his work or his religion.
Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel added that if the attacks were acts of terrorism, the culprits would have planted the bombs in a more crowded area where they would do more damage.
“It was sent to his office, that’s were the bomb threat was sent,” Coronel said, referring to Abinal.
“He said there were people or a group who sent threats to him through Facebook and social media because of his work as an imam,” he added.
The first explosion happened on Norzagaray Street and Elizondo Street near the Manila Golden Mosque at 5:55 p.m. Saturday. A second blast went off at 8:25 p.m.
Coronel said the two blasts are likely connected to each other but they have not yet established if these explosions were connected to the one that went off on April 28.
Authorities have locked down the streets affected by the explosion as they begin post-blast investigation to determine the bomb used and the suspects behind the incident. Some Army troops were also deployed to augment the police force.
Coronel asked residents in Quiapo to relay any information they have about the explosions to the police.
“MPD is on full alert along with other units sa area. If you see any suspicious person or thing, just call the police, “ Coronel advised the public.
Tension remained high after the blasts, with police cordoning off the area again on Sunday after a suspicious bag was spotted.
A bomb disposal robot later established it was a false alarm.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman Ernesto Abella urged the public to stay alert but avoid spreading “unverified” news that may cause panic.
Just over a week ago another explosion injured 14 people in Quiapo as Southeast Asian leaders were meeting for a summit a few kilometers away.
IS claimed responsibility for the April 28 explosion, but police insisted it was not a terrorist attack and not related to the gathering of political leaders.
In a statement Sunday, Grab Philippines confirmed that one of the two casualties was a partner in the company’s Metro Manila-based parcel delivery service, GrabExpress.
“Grab Philippines condemns the bombing on Saturday at Norzagaray Street in Quiapo, Manila,” the statement said. “We are deeply saddened the incident took the lives of two civilians, including one of our GrabExpress partners.”
Grab said it was cooperating with the police investigation.
The United Kingdom issued a travel advisory to British nationals to avoid the Quiapo area. With AFP