The reward money is taken from the intelligence fund of Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco through the reward systems program of the city government
Chief Inspector Leo Ajero, OIC city director announced the reward following the release of cartographic sketches of the two suspects believed to have been responsible for the August 10 blast in front of Sheer Marketing along Quezon Boulevard, here and beside AJ Hi-Time Hotel at corner Plaridel and JP Laurel Streets.
The two explosives were attached to 81-mm mortars and both went off almost simultaneously on that day. A bystander and a bomb expert were injured.
Professional cartographers from the Philippine National Police regional office-12 in General Santos City drew the sketches based on the testimonies of witnesses who are now under police custody.
One of the suspects, identified as Minac Mentang, was allegedly responsible for the bombing of Sasa wharf and Davao City International airport in 2003, Ajero said.
MindaNews checked the case folders of the Davao City airport and seaport bombings in March and April 2003 but did not find Mentang’s name as among the suspects.
The other suspect in the Kidapawan bombing is of small build, weighs 55 kilos and has a fair brown complexion. His identifying marks include his acne on his left cheek and eyebrows.
The mayor appealed to his constituents to be accurate in giving information so the suspects can be arrested immediately.
“My office and even our chief of police is willing to accept and verify any information from our constituents regarding the identity and the whereabouts of the suspects,” Mayor Gantuangco stressed.
The bomb suspects are allegedly trainees of the Jemaah Islamiyah according to intelligence reports of the 602nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. But Col. Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade immediately blamed the bombings on the Abu Sayyaf.
He said that even before the explosions, they received intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf would bomb key cities in Mindanao, including Kidapawan and Cotabato. (Williamor A. Magbanua/MindaNews)