(Eagle News) — The Department of National Defense on Wednesday, Aug. 1, urged the public to avoid making conclusions on the cause of the blast in Basilan that killed at least 11 people.
“As we speak, there are several theories circulating regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. Although we are not discounting them entirely, all of these are just pure speculation at this time and are now the subject of an investigation being conducted by a joint team of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police),” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.
According to Lorenzana, “just allow our investigators to do their job.”
He said in any case, “we will do everything within our power to get to the bottom of this incident.”
“I assure the loved ones of those who perished that your government is grieving with you and that we will provide you with all the support that we can possibly give,” he said.
“Meanwhile, I would like to say to those who are behind this cowardly and indiscriminate act of violence that justice will catch up with you and it will come in the form that you least expect and at a time that you will not predict,” he added.
The bomb that had been placed in a van exploded as authorities were inspecting the vehicle at the checkpoint in Lamitan.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for what it called a “martyrdom operation” through a statement carried by its Amaq news agency.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Edgar Arevalo said the military had received information the Abu Sayyaf, which had ties with the Islamic State, would deploy an improvised explosive device in the area.
He, however, said there was no basis to conclude that the incident was a suicide bombing or had been carried out by a foreigner, as those who had in contact with the bomb could no longer be accessed.