Davao City – The Special Investigation Task Force (SITF) is actively searching for three individuals believed to be responsible for the recent vehicle explosion in Ecoland, Davao City.
According to the SITF, a low-grade explosive device was used to target the vehicle of Atty. Alberto Magulta.
However, authorities have ruled out terrorism as the motive behind the incident, suggesting that it may be related to personal grievances against the lawyer. It is possible that the case stems from a dispute that originated outside the Davao Region, where Magulta had been involved in a controversial matter.
In a statement, P/Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson for PRO-XI, said, “It is not terrorism, sir. According to our investigation, it appears to be a personal grudge or work-related issue. Atty. Magulta himself had expressed concerns about his safety due to ongoing legal cases. Even if you observe the damage to his vehicle, it is clear that it was not intended to cause significant harm or pose a threat to life. Only the rear part and one tire were damaged, and even the adjacent buildings’ glass windows were unaffected.”
The SITF is currently enhancing the footage obtained from CCTV cameras to identify the possibly three individuals responsible for the incident, treating them as persons of interest.
Dela Rey added, “We have not yet reached a conclusive resolution as we are still analyzing the CCTV footage, which provides a general overview. We are working to enhance the video further.”
The investigation is progressing rapidly, with authorities focusing on the persons of interest, particularly their association with the placement of explosives under the vehicle.
Dela Rey stated, “Their actions indicate that they moved swiftly and left behind very little.”
Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team continues, aiming to determine the exact type of explosive used in the vehicle attack.
Despite ongoing investigations, authorities in Davao City remain vigilant following the incident.
