Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Wednesday directed the Manila Police District to intensify the manhunt for the suspects of the May 6 twin Quiapo blasts that killed two people.
“I trust MPD to solve this case in due time. I have ordered General Coronel to utilize all legal means to capture the perpetrators,” said Estrada.
On the other hand, MPD Director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel clarified the police have no solid evidence to pin down the three “persons of interests” they invited for questioning last Tuesday.
Coronel said the MPD had invited Halid Macatanong, Aamir Shahzad Khan and Joanne Palmiano.
“They were invited and brought for questioning because we have information that they were present during the bombings,” Coronel said. “But based on the investigation conducted, there’s no evidence to establish that they are connected with the bombings.”
Coronel said the trio “are due for release anytime.”
Police investigators believe the May 6 twin explosions in Quiapo targeted Nasser Abinal, a Shiite Muslim cleric who also works as tax officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Abinal was not in the office during the explosions.
The MPD said the suspects executed the plan to kill Abinal by using two remote-controlled bombs set to explode hours apart. The first blast happened at around 6 p.m. on May 6 at the office of Abinal.
A GrabExpress delivery partner handed over a package to Mohamad Bainga, an aide of Abinal. The package exploded, killing both men and wounding four others.
Less than three hours later that same day, the second blast occurred at the intersection of Norzagaray and Elizondo street and hurt two police officers.
Estrada reassured the city’s 4,600-strong police force of continued logistical and financial support to improve their capability of protecting the capital city and solving crimes.
Just two months ago, the city procured another P20-million worth of brand new firearms for MPD operatives to improve the city police’s firepower against armed criminals and terrorists.
Last October, the city government also bought 400 Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistols, 60 M4 carbines (a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 Armalite assault rifle), eight Sig Sauer sniper rifles, ammunition, and other necessary gears and equipment for the MPD, also worth P20 million.
When he assumed office in 2013, Estrada allotted P1.9 billion for Manila’s crime prevention program, which includes P136 million in back allowances of MPD members and the procurement of 41 new mobile patrol cars and 110 electric personal transporters.
Through a P20-million fund, the mayor also renovated the main headquarters of MPD in United Nations Avenue, the first time since it was built way back in 1949.