C4 explosives used in Batangas governor's ambush

Military-issued bombs could have been used in the recent attempt to kill Batangas Gov. Armando Sanchez, police said Friday. Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of the governor, told GMA 7's DZBB that provincial police confirmed that the twin explosions were caused by C-4 explosives planted on Sanchez' vehicle, a Hummer H2. The blasts, which killed Sanchez's bodyguard and driver, were probably remotely triggered by a mobile phone, Topacio said, quoting police officials. Police investigators have yet to identify suspects and determine the motive for the attempt on the governor's life. The Batangas provincial capitol was closed down as of Friday morning as a bomb disposal unit from the Air Force searched for more bombs that may have been planted in the area. Keeping civilians out of the building would purportedly give the disposal team more elbow room in conducting their paneling (bomb search) operation. Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Arnel Catacona, a member of the bomb disposal dispatched to the area, said they were requested to scour the capitol building to prevent new explosions that might injure provincial employees. Topacio said the attempt on the life of the Batangas governor could have been carried out by political "enemies" slighted by Sanchez through the years. Sanchez' adversaries, he said, include not only criminal syndicates but also possibly political figures the official may have crossed paths with. The lawyer hinted that Vice Governor Richard Recto, a known political rival of Sanchez, might have something to do with the incident, but admitted he has no evidence to back this. A composite team from the local police, a firearms-and-explosives unit, scene-of-the-crime operatives, and the local National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is continuing its investigation on the incident. Superintendent Nilo Anzo, Batangas City police director, assured residents in the province that there is no reason to panic over the incident even though the explosions were apparently premeditated. "Hindi aksidente ito. May ginamit na pampasabog. [Pero] makakapagbigay kami ng angulo tingnan namin kung matapos ang paghanap ng inpormasyon sa pangyayari," he said. As of Friday morning, Sanchez was declared to be in stable condition with "no serious injury," except for second-degree burns on the hands, neck, nape. He is confined at the Jesus is Nazareth private hospital in Batangas.-GMANews.TV