MANILA – Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas believes that the two bomb attacks in Mindanao only 10 days apart were intended to kill and hurt many innocent civilians.
Roxas noted that the two incidents happened in crowded areas.
"This was clearly an explosion that was intended to kill, hurt and maim people. It was at a busy mall, at a busy time. There have been explosions in the past but these were at early mornings and isolated places. These particular bombs in Cagayan de Oro and in Cotabato were clearly intended to kill, hurt and maim people," he told ANC’s "Prime Time" on Tuesday.
The powerful blast in Cagayan de Oro on July 26 happened at a restaurant packed with doctors and pharmaceutical salesmen. Eight people were killed while more than 40 were hurt.
On Monday, another explosion occurred at the main highway of Cotabato City, leaving at least 9 dead and nearly 30 injured.
Roxas said no terrorist groups have claimed responsibility for the attacks. There are also no indications yet that the two incidents are linked.
“What’s important here is that we obtain as much evidence as we can. One of the most important pieces of evidence is to find the components of the bomb itself. Because that will provide us with signatures. It’s not every easy to do this type of IED. The devices are made by only a certain number of people,” said Roxas.
He also said Philippine authorities are coordinating with Interpol and other agencies in the investigation.
“We are coordinating with Interpol and intelligence agencies of other governments and whatever it is that we are able to gather, we make this available so that we that we can get as much information as we can,” he said.
Roxas said the Department of Interior and Local Government is supporting the Senate probe on the Cagayan de Oro bombing, which will begin on Wednesday.
He added that security measures in public places should be reviewed to prevent a similar incident.
“A healthy debate on searches may be helpful in this regard,” he said.