PNP releases CCTV footage of suspect in Sultan Kudarat explosion

The Philippine National Police has released CCTV footage of the improvised explosive device attack on a chicken restaurant in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday afternoon.

Eighteen persons, including six minors, were injured in the attack.

The video showed the suspect, who was wearing a jacket, cap and face mask, entering the premises at 1:53 p.m.

He had with him a plastic bag, which was found to have contained the IED.

The suspect left plastic bag inside the toilet but a waiter ran after him to tell him that he left something.

He then left the plastic bag behind the outdoor unit of the establishment's air conditioner.

The suspect left the restaurant at 1:59 p.m.

The IED, which was triggered by a cellular phone, exploded at 3:04 p.m. or more than an hour after the bomber left.

The device was reportedly made up of a plastic catsup container filled with nails.

The extortion angle came to fore after the owner of the restaurant admitted receiving an extortion letter days before the blast.

The letter-writer reportedly demanded P50,000.

Police Brigadier General Eliseo Rasco, the PNP regional commander, said more people could have gotten hurt if the IED exploded inside the restaurant.

He lauded the alert waiter for bring out the plastic bag and handing it back to the suspect. —NB, GMA News