Police yesterday maintained that the explosion that injured 13 persons in Quiapo, Manila Friday was caused by a gang war and not by the Islamic State that has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Albayalde insisted that the “incident is a local peace and order problem involving feuding gangs in the Quiapo area.”
According to him, ISIS is just using the opportunity to spread fear by claiming responsibility for the blast. “As in the past, several similar incidents transpired in the said area already. It would also appear, that again, as in several instances of acts of violence or disruption of peace and order in other countries, the ISIS is grabbing the opportunity to promote their cause and interest, and gain global recognition by claiming outright responsibility for the said explosion,” said Albayalde.
Despite this, Albayalde said they will continue to determine the validity of the ISIS claim.
“We will not comment on the alleged ISIS claim on the Quiapo explosion until we confirm with certainty that such claim was really made by them,” said Albayalde.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa said the incident was not a terrorist act.
“Kung pupunta kayo sa scene of explosion, ang amoy talaga pulbura,” Dela Rosa said. “Ang IED na usually ginagamit sa terror attack ay cellphone na de-trigger pero wala naman tayong nakitang parts ng cellphone.”
Initial investigation showed that the explosion was caused by a homemade pipe bomb placed under the table of an ambulant vendor on Quezon Boulevard corner Soler St.
Meanwhile, the NCRPO declared that the country’s hosting of the ASEAN summit is a success. At least 27,000 cops were tapped to secure the summit.
“It is suffice to say that our hosting for the leaders has been a success,” said Chief Insp. Kimberly Molitas, NCRPO spokesperson.
“All lessons learned from this interagency collaboration shall be taken into consideration and we will use this for the final leg in November,” she added. (Jaimie Rose A. Aberia and Aaron B. Recuenco)
