Eleazar order probe on Maguindanao blast
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Monday ordered the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to conduct a thorough investigation into a grenade explosion near an Army detachment in Maguindanao last Saturday.
The grenade reportedly went off just as a convoy of some 20 to 30 vehicles carrying Maguindanao Representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and his group passed by the military detachment in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.
Seeking the Maguindanao gubernatorial post in May 2022, Mangudadatu claimed that he was the real target of the grenade attack.
“Our police investigators should not leave any stone unturned in determining the motive and identifying the perpetrator of the grenade blast. Lahat ng anggulo ay ating titingnan sa insidenteng ito,” Gen. Eleazar said.
Initial information stated that a hand grenade thrown towards the direction of the Army detachment exploded shortly after Mangudadatu’s convoy had passed by in the area.
“Isa lang sa maraming posibleng motibo sa insidente ang sinasabing pagtarget kay Maguindanao Rep Esmael Mangudadatu ng pagpapasabog. Maaari rin kasing nagkataon lang na dumaan ang convoy ni Rep. Mangudadatu nang naganap ang insidente,” Gen. Eleazar pointed out.
“Pero agad makikipag-ugnayan ang ating mga imbestigador sa kongresista pati na rin sa mga sundalong nakatalaga sa Army detachment para kumuha pa ng ibang detalye,” he added.
The PNP chief has directed all police units and offices in the region to remain vigilant and to work with the military to prevent attacks from lawless elements, especially during this election season.
