Palace condemns deadly ‘terrorist attack’ in Basilan

Malacañang on Tuesday considered as a terrorist attack the explosion in Basilan that killed at 10 people and injured several others.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the latest terrorist attack in Basilan perpetrated in violation of our laws,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“Authorities are now investigating the incident even as we vow to bring the perpetrators of this brazen attack to justice,” he said.

Roque added that “even in times of war, the attack constitutes a war crime because it constitutes an indiscriminate attack” which is prohibited under Republic Act 9851 (International Humanitarian Law Act).

“It’s a fact that Basilan of course is an area with a non-international armed conflict, and there is already a domestic law on International Humanitarian Law,” he said.

“Under IHL, you must limit your attacks pursuant to military objectives; you must limit it to military targets, and you must avoid protected individuals including civilians,” he added.

Citing 74th Infantry Battalion head Lieutenant Colonel Jonas Templo, radio dzBB's Jonathan Andal reported on Dobol B sa News TV that among those who perished in the explosion that took place at a checkpoint in Lamitan, Basilan were members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu).

The fact that the explosive was placed inside a van prompted investigators to suspect that the incident may be a case of suicide bombing.

The report said the van was stopped at the checkpoint manned by the government militiamen. Military back-up was called after the militiamen noticed that the driver was acting suspiciously.

The van exploded even before the back-up arrived, killing all the militiamen manning the checkpoint and the child who is believed to be a relative of one of the Cafgu members.

Though investigation was ongoing as of posting time, Templo said the incident may be a handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, which operates in Basilan. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News