TACLOBAN CITY- As part of the effort of the police authorities to solve the blasts incident in Hilongos, Leyte, a special task force was created with police regional director, Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, leading it.
The Special Task Group Hilongos was created on December 29 to spearhead and coordinate the investigative and prosecutorial efforts of the regional police for the speedy resolution and prosecution of the suspects of the explosion incident that rocked the town on the night of its December 28 fiesta.
“It is the responsibility of the (special task force) to properly manage the case and ensure its resolution by applying the best investigative techniques and practices and utilizing all its available resources,” Beltejar said.
Among its members are Leyte police provincial director, S/Supt. Franco Simborio and Senior Inspector Alberto Renomeron, Jr., chief of police of Hilongos.
Lawyer Jerry Abiera, regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation and Capt. Jay Dayap of the 802nd Infantry Brigade were also requested to assist the regional Philippine National Police in the investigation of the incident.
The explosion incident occurred at the Rizal Park of the town while about 1,000 people were watching an ongoing amateur boxing event as part of the activities of the town fiesta.
The first improvised explosive device, made of an 81 mm mortar, first hit at 9:01 pm near the water tank and minute later, another one exploded near the stage of the plaza.
The twin explosions resulted to the injury of 32 people, 10 of them were children. No one died due to the blasts incident.
Police have already ruled out the incident as a terroristic activity citing on the illegal drug activity and on proliferation of fake bills as possible motives on the explosion.
Police authorities have yet to know who could be behind the incident. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO)
