Cops gaining headway in Leyte blast probe

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 5 (PNA) – The local police is gaining headway in solving the December 28 town plaza bombing in Hilongos, Leyte that wounded 35 people, a top official said on Thursday.

Police Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar expressed optimism that the special investigation task group will soon identify the suspects of the blast that spoiled the amateur boxing bout.

Citing initial probe reports, the police disclosed that three unidentified men were seen discreetly leaving the blast sites near the boxing ring as caught by the closed circuit television cameras.

“We already have a lead towards the solution of the incident but we cannot divulge information yet as it may compromise the on-going investigation,” Beltejar said in a press statement.

Investigators recovered from the blast scene components from pieces of 60 mm and 81 mm mortar projectile placed in two separate locations detonated by mobile phones.

The PNP recorded 35 wounded persons during the blast based on the additional data provided by Leyte police provincial office. As of Thursday morning, only three victims are still confined at the Leyte Provincial Hospital in Palo town.

On December 30, President Rodrigo Duterte visited Hilongos town and gave additional cash assistance to the explosion victims.

The Chief Executive assured the victims that the police is fast tracking the investigation to identify perpetrators. Authorities believed that the bombing could be an act of retaliation from an arrested drug suspect.

About 500 people were at the town plaza to watch an amateur boxing match on December 28, when two improvised explosive device went off around 9:30 p.m., wounding 35 people. The attack coincided with the town’s annual fiesta celebration. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO