Bombing in Palawan? oh no!

[perkytech]

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Explosion causes damage in El Nido, Palawan on Maundy Thursday
Blasts occurring nearly at the same time were reported in the capital city of Puerto Princesa and the popular resort town of El Nido in Palawan late Thursday, causing injuries to at least four people, official sources said.

The explosions seemed timed for the peak of the tourist season in Palawan, a popular destination of travelers from all over the world because of its pristine beaches and outstanding natural scenery.

According to a flash report from GMA News, an explosive that was apparently placed in a sack of rice caused the blast in Puerto Princesa. The report quoted Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo as saying that the incident seemed intended to sow fear.

Local residents said the incident occurred near a bus terminal and gasoline station in Barangay San Jose, about four kilometers from the city proper.

The other blast was reported in El Nido from an explosive placed inside a garbage bin in front of some tourist cottages, according to municipal tourism officer Arvin Acosta. He said the wife of a boatman was reported to have losThe explosion in El Nido occurred around 5:30 pm, according to Grace Estefano, who had just arrived in the town proper from an island hopping tour when it happened.

"May nakita kaming usok, tapos boom. Una akala namin gasul na sumabog pero hindi pala," she told GMA News Online.

Estefano said the blast shattered some of the windows of the cottages and damaged the windshield of a vehicle near the garbage bin.

t her hand in the explosion while two tourists suffered ear injuries.

Puerto Princesa blast

Richard Arambulo, manager of the Puerto Royale bus company in Palawan, told GMA News Online in a telephone interview that police have taken into custody an old woman believed to be the owner of the sack of rice that contained the explosive. There was a sack of charcoal on top of the sack of rice, he said.

He added that a tricycle driver and his passenger sustained "superficial" injuries and were rushed to the nearest hospital.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office that has jurisdiction over Palawan said the injured tricycle driver was Cenon Magdayo, 75 years old, while his wounded passenger was Marivic Arias, 28 years old.

Arambulo said the explosion happened right beside his office in barangay San Jose, and when he stepped out to check on the incident, black smoke had engulfed the immediate vicinity.

He added that the scene of the crime operations (SOCO) unit of the local police have finished their initial investigation of the blast site and may return on Friday to continue their work.

"Hindi pa natin masabi ang dahilan o motibo ng pagsabog," Senior Superintendent Abad Osit, Puerto Princesa chief of police, told GMA News Online.

Osit confirmed that they have placed under police custody the old woman who purportedly owns the sack of rice containing the explosive material. He also said witnesses were interviewed at the scene.

SOCO had to cut short their initial probe as nightfall made it difficult to assess the scene, the police chief said. The team will continue their investigation tomorrow, he added.

El Nido blast

Meanwhile, the wounded victim in El Nido was identified as Aizagay Mallary, 23 years old and cook of a resort, the PNP regional office said. He was also brought to the nearest hospital.

In a text message to GMA News Online, the Palawan-PNP headquarters said the chief of police in El Nido has asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Task Force Malampaya, which is based in the northern Palawan town, to help investigate the Maundy Thursday blast.

The main mission of the task force is to provide security for the Malampaya natural gas field located off northern Palawan, in the western Philippine sea, and its gas pipes.

Task Force Malampaya’s explosives and ordnance personnel will help El Nido police investigate the blast scene, according to the Palawan police.

Simultaneous blasts hit El Nido and Puerto Princesa | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere

[perkytech]

it's really my dream to explore Palawan. I already have plans this year. Hopefully this will be the last time.. hayyy nlang..... Another terrorist attack ni? Either NPA or Muslim Rebels or Politicians?? uhmmm..

[J.Abz]

Glad it didnt happened in Boracay also... or else, it would have hit big time on Tourism as Bora is very popular among tourist destination here and abroad....

[bungot25]

why would somebody put fear on that area? looks like somebody wants to own the whole town.

[perkytech]

yah.. mka badtrip ni oi... @J.Abz - unsa nlang kha if it will happen pud sa bora? hayyy... Please ayaw nyo hilabti knang mga tourist spots.. it helps a lot in our economy. cgro knang mga islands sa tawi2x or beaches sa basilan or some other parts of mindanao i do believe daghan pud diha wala pa na discover..

[perkytech]

why would somebody put fear on that area? looks like somebody wants to own the whole town.

if this is regarding mining in Palawan so might be Politicians ni...

[MetalManiac]

terrorists work nasad ni

[Vundaboi]

We have a trip booked on June for El Nido and Puerto Princesa The bed and breakfast we were supposed to stay in was the closest to the bomb that went off in El Nido.

[elvandesantos]

damn.. for that beautiful place! only satan or death would stop me from going there!

[ironmack08]

mga walay mabuhat sa kinabuhi...ahak aning mga tawhana....tsk3....