An explosion struck outside the house of Pangutaran, Sulu municipal Mayor Asri Taib, in Bienvenido Drive, Barangay Canelar Moret, Zamboanga City, around 4:00 a.m Thursday, October 24.
Residents of Calenar were awaken by the loud explosion. No one was hurt but a car parked outside the gate was reportedly damaged.
Col. Antonio John Divinagracia, Task Force Zamboanga commander, ruled out the incident was an act of terrorism since it was intended for the town mayor.
Duco said they are looking at politics as a possible motive, noting the intense political rivalry in Pangutaran, Sulu.
“This is a low-intensity type of explosive,” said Divinagracia, who inspected the blast site.
Amilhamja Taib, former mayor of Pangutaran and father of the incumbent mayor, said they had not received any threat prior to the incident.
The elder Taib said he was stunned as he had just awakened when the explosion happened.
He said they had no security at the time of the incident because the two policemen detailed to his son, the incumbent mayor, went home Wednesday to Sulu.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, Police Regional Office-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, said the incident was an isolated case and urged the public to remain calm but vigilant.
Quidilla also called on residents to immediately report the presence of suspicious-looking persons in their community.
