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Friday night horror: CDO bistro bomb kills six, Misamis Or. official among dead
(updated 11:48 a.m.) — The typically carefree atmosphere of the late Friday night scene in Cagayan de Oro City was ripped to shreds when a bomb exploded outside a crowded bistro, killing six as of this posting, including provincial board member of Misamis Oriental, Roldan Lagbas, according to the regional police.
"The blast was near him (Lagbas) but we (still) cannot say it's politically motivated," said spokesman of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, Lt. Col. Leo Bongosia. "We still don't know the motive and the identities of the people behind the explosion of this improvised bomb."
The bomb exploded in the open-air section of Kyla's bar in the Limketkai Center around 11:30 p.m, killing three customers on the spot. The three other fatalities died in the hospital.
Northern Mindanao police head Catalino Rodriguez Jr. said that the area where the blast occurred is heavily-populated on Friday nights. "Sa Biyernes, dito nagpapahinga ang mga tao," he said.
Police in the Northern Mindanao region went on full alert following the blast.
"The blast was near him (Lagbas) but we (still) cannot say it's politically motivated," said spokesman of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, Lt. Col. Leo Bongosia. "We still don't know the motive and the identities of the people behind the explosion of this improvised bomb."
Rescue workers carry one of the dead in the blast that ripped through a crowded bistro in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday night. Bobby Lagsa
Northern Mindanao police head Catalino Rodriguez Jr. said that the area where the blast occurred is heavily-populated on Friday nights. "Sa Biyernes, dito nagpapahinga ang mga tao," he said.
Police in the Northern Mindanao region went on full alert following the blast.
Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) police head Chief Superintendent Catalino Rodriguez Jr. confirmed that one of the fatalities was Roldan Lagbas, a board member of Misamis Oriental.
The dzBB report also cited initial reports indicating Kinoguitan town mayor Junjun Lagbas was among the 46 injured.
As of 6 a.m. Saturday, dzBB reported the death toll went up to six.
"Nasa full alert status kami mula kagabi...ang buong Region 10 full alert status natin, para ma-seal ang buong Region 10 (We have been on full alert since Friday night. The entire region has been on full alert, to seal off the area)," Rodriguez said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He said this aims to prevent the culprits in Friday night's incident from escaping outside the region, and their possible colleagues from entering the area.
Rodriguez also said there was no intelligence report warning of the blast.
For now, he said a special task group has been formed to investigate the incident.
Rodriguez also declined to comment on the possible motive for the blast for now.
He added intelligence operatives are tracking down the perpetrators, while investigators have generated sketches of the suspects after interviewing witnesses.
"Auhorities are investigating. We are still investigating as to the composition of the bomb. We are also establishing the motive and the target of the IED," he said.
City police chief Senior Supt. Graciano Mijares noted that a group of pulmonologists currently in the city for a conference were also having a dinner at the time. — ELR/HS/VC, GMA News
Meanwhile, Bongosia said that, along with police personnel, personnel from the Army's Explosive and Ordnace Disposal and K9 units responded for crime scene investigation.UPDATE: Death toll in CDO blast rises to 6, says Chief Supt. Catalino Rodriguez Jr., PNP Region 10 director. | via @dzbbGMA
— GMA News (@gmanews) July 26, 2013
"Auhorities are investigating. We are still investigating as to the composition of the bomb. We are also establishing the motive and the target of the IED," he said.
City police chief Senior Supt. Graciano Mijares noted that a group of pulmonologists currently in the city for a conference were also having a dinner at the time. — ELR/HS/VC, GMA News
