Davao City – Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia promptly summoned the deputy mayors from various tribes in the city on Saturday morning to seek their assistance in solving the case and determining the motive behind the planting of explosives in the vehicle of Atty. Albert Mangulta last Thursday morning.
According to a source from Newsline Philippines, Mangulta is a lawyer with numerous clients in Region 12, often handling cases involving disputed land properties.
His companion was killed just last month.
If the motive behind the attack is work-related, it may be due to a specific case connected to multimillion-peso properties in General Santos City.
According to sources from Newsline, Atty. Mangulta had previously received threats, but he dismissed them.
CCTV footage, currently in the possession of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), reveals two individuals planting the bomb, with another person monitoring their actions, leading the police to believe that there is a mastermind and someone orchestrating the car bombing targeting Atty. Mangulta
According to Colonel Comia, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) and the PNP forensic team are examining the type of explosive used.
“Fortunately, the bomb did not cause any casualties and only minor damage to the vehicle,” Comia said.
“No shrapnel or elements commonly used by terrorist groups were found, leading the police and Task Force Davao to conclude that it was not the work of a terrorist organization but an isolated attack on Atty. Mangulta,” he added.
While the explosive failed to claim any lives, it has had an impact on the peace and order of the city.
The deputy mayors vowed to cooperate in identifying the individuals who left the explosives in Atty. Mangulta’s vehicle.
Meanwhile, some have questioned why the DCPO has not released the CCTV footage from the incident that occurred last Thursday, despite the police promising to do so.