NCRPO chief insists: Quiapo blast a local incident

National Capital Region Police Office chief Dir. Oscar Albayalde on Sunday belied claims that last Friday's blast in Quiapo, Manila that hurt 14 people was the handiwork of jihadist terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

"Maybe the ISIS was just grabbing the opportunity to promote their cause,” Albayalde said in a statement after the jihadist group reportedly claim responsibility for the explosion.

But he said he would not give further comments on whether the ISIS made the claim until they “confirm with certainty” that the group did so. 

“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,” he said.

“We, however, shall remain vigilant while we encourage the public to remain calm but vigilant and help us by providing vital information via our hotlines.” 

The supposed ISIS claim was reported Saturday by SITE Intel Group, which provides news on Jihadist threats, citing the terror group’s Amaq News Agency. 

2) #ISIS Amaq also claimed bombing in #Manila #Philippines, yesterday, reported killing 5 Filipino soldiers https://t.co/hMxPGRzX5R pic.twitter.com/X062K9YSmE

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2017

Albayalde said that while they “have not discounted the presence of threat groups” in Metro Manila, “there are no confirmed reports on any presence” of ISIS in the Philippines.”

He reiterated that investigation so far has shown that Friday night’s incident was a local gang war. 

“In so far as our evidence we have on hand on the explosion (testimonies from witnesses and physical evidence recovered from the crime scene), there is nothing to indicate or show that the Quiapo explosion is connected with any terrorist or threat group,” he said.

“We maintain that this incident is nothing but a local peace and order concern involving feuding gangs or persons in the Quiapo area. As in the past, several similar incidents transpired in the said area already,” he added.

Albayalde earlier said the incident had nothing to do with the 30th ASEAN Summit, held in Manila over the weekend. —Aica Dioquino/LBG, GMA News