2 persons of interest behind MSU bombing attack identified
2 persons of interest behind MSU bombing attack identified;
Metro Manila under heightened alert
Metro Manila under heightened alert
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Full alert status has been raised over the entire Mindanao mainland and its island provinces.
00:05 As a result, places of mass convergence will be under tight security measures with regular
00:11 manual inspections and metal detecting procedures of bags and placeholders at every entry point.
00:17 And a full and exhaustive probe are still underway to determine the full details of
00:21 this latest heinous attack on civilians in the city still on the mend.
00:26 As our Patrick de Asus narrates.
00:35 Yesterday morning, while a mass was being held at the gymnasium of Mindanao State University
00:40 in Marawi City, an explosion broke the solemnity and quiet of the gym.
00:46 Four reportedly lost their lives from the blast, while more than 50 sustained injuries.
00:51 The PNP has identified two persons of interest behind the bombing.
00:56 "We are looking at the background, the limited information we have.
01:00 One of the POIs we are looking at is a member of a group that was previously involved in
01:11 bombing incidents, particularly in Mindanao."
01:14 The ISIS terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
01:18 But this is being validated yet by the armed forces of the Philippines.
01:23 The National Security Council said the investigation has proceeded thoroughly, while a special
01:28 probe task group was formed.
01:30 "You know, ISIS, they tend to claim, they have this tendency to claim responsibility
01:38 for things that at the end of the day, they are not responsible.
01:43 So at present, what I can say is we are verifying these reports that it was ISIS-inspired or
01:51 it was ISIS itself, through their local counterparts, who did this."
01:58 The angle of suicide bombing has been ruled out.
02:01 Fragments of the 60-millimeter mortar used were recovered as well as the bag where the
02:06 explosive device was kept or hidden.
02:09 The police is verifying what triggering device was used.
02:13 The Bangsamoro government continuously monitors the victims and confirms assistance have already
02:18 been given.
02:19 "We have directed Amipak Pak Medical Center to charge the medical expenses to the regional
02:28 government fund that was deposited to them.
02:31 And then the Minister of Social Services and Development of the regional government, they
02:38 also gave cash assistance to the victims so they can cross."
02:44 Following the incident, Mindanao was placed to full alert status.
02:49 To avoid possible spillover, security status in Metro Manila was raised to heightened alert.
02:55 "It means that 75 percent of our total PNP strength is expected to be released so we
03:04 can sustain our police visibility and police presence, particularly in places of convergence,
03:11 especially that it's December now, the holiday season is coming.
03:15 We know that in December, economic activities are increasing."
03:21 Places of mass convergence like malls and terminals have also been placed under tight
03:27 security with the PNP deploying more canine units.
03:31 "It's easy to sweep the area if there are no harmful components that can be spread to
03:38 the public.
03:39 Always or without incidents, our police is always on high alert, especially this Christmas
03:45 and New Year because we know that people are crossing places of convergence, malls and
03:50 terminals, and concerts and sports events that are happening here in Metro Manila.
03:57 That's why we are double our security even before."
04:00 Patrick de Azuz for the Nation.