6 killed, 48 injured in blast in south Philippines

[Lite Beer]

6 killed, 48 injured in blast in south Philippines

Bobby Lagsa, JB Deveza and Cai Panlilio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Six people were killed and 48 injured after a bomb went off at a restaurant where doctors and other medical practioners were dining after a convention

Don's angry wife kept calling him to come home, so he left the restaurant where he was dining with friends, among them was Provincial Board Member Roldan Lagbas.

When he got home, he heard the explosion. He rushed back to learn Lagbas was killed.

Police are reviewing tapes from security cameras at two nightclubs here in search of a man who planted the bomb that exploded and killed six people and injured 48 others in a restaurant filled with doctors and other health workers after a national medical convention in Cagayan de Oro city, Mindanao, late Friday.

But the recovery of evidence may now be impossible, as owners of businesses at the site have cleaned up the place Saturday morning, riling Interior Secretary Mar Roxas who arrived for an inspection in the afternoon.

“This is a crime scene. Where have you seen a crime scene being released less than 24 hours after the crime?” Roxas told police and local officials. “On whose orders was this place cleaned?” he demanded.

Getting no answer, Roxas ordered the police to find out who was responsible for the lapse in procedures.

Police said an improvised explosive device went off at around 11:30 p.m. at a restaurant in the popular Rosario Arcade just outside the Lim Ket Kai Mall here.

The powerful explosion also shattered glass windows and upturned tables and chairs at nearby establishments and damaged motor vehicles parked up to 30 metres away from the arcade.

Police said the explosion was so loud, it was heard by people 4 kilometres away.

Killed on the spot were Misamis Oriental Provincial Board Member Lagbas, Dr. Erwin Malanay of Manila, medical representatives Anthony Cañete of Iligan City, Ryan Estose of Megaheights Subdivision in Gusa district here, Emmanuel Palafox of Zamboanga City and Antonio Paredes, whose address was still being verified.

48 injured people were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Senior Superintendent Graciano Mijares, city police chief, said most of the victims were doctors and pharmaceutical sales representatives who had just attended a national convention of lung disease specialists at a nearby hotel.

Malacañang denounced the attack on the medical convention.

“We deplore this act of violence at this meeting of professionals, the Philippine College of Physicians, whose mission in life is to bring about healing,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said.

Read More: http://asianewsnet.net/6-killed-48-injured-in-medical-convention-blast-in-49570.html

--ASIA NEWS NETWORK 2013-07-28

[bangarang]

“This is a crime scene. Where have you seen a crime scene being released less than 24 hours after the crime?” Roxas told police and local officials. “On whose orders was this place cleaned?” he demanded.

I smell a cover-up

[bri1guy]

Cagayan De Oro is for the most part a safe & Peaceful City!!

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, who is in Macau to show the City Government’s support to Milan Melindo’s world title boxing fight, condemned in the strongest term the bombing incident.

“What a condemnable and despicable act! This has no place in a peaceful community like ours. My heart bleeds for the victims and his families. Board Member Roldan Lagbas was very close to me personally,” he said in a statement sent to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

[CMKiwi]

Having spent a few years in The Philippines, I am not surprised. My guess is that it will either involve some religous extremists or some party seeking political power. Such is life in the Philippines...... and some one mentioned a cover up? I am sure that has happened and in the shadows money will be changing hands. The last election year, vote buying was rampant with certain candidates outside polling booths offering money to voters if they voted for them. Crazy stuff and even worse is the fact that police were next to these people..... hired guns????

Lovely country, just a pity its all so corrupt amongst the officialdom.