An roadside bomb narrowly missed the vehicle of Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez Monday noon in the latest incident that added up to the growing tension in the province two weeks before the May 10 general elections.
According to a police report, a parked red motorcycle rigged with an improvised explosive devised fashioned from a 105 mm howitzer live ammo was detonated when the vehicle carrying the governor and his security escorts passed by in the village of Lun Masla in Malapatan, Sarangani at around 11:40 Monday noon.
The shell however failed to explode as only the blasting cap reportedly went off.
No one was hurt in the botched explosion.
Sr. Supt. Restito Gatera said a police team sent to secure the area recovered the unexploded howitzer shell along with a Motorola two-way handheld radio.
Dominguez was on his way from Glan in Sarangani to the rally of Lakas-KAMPI-CMD presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro in General Santos City when the incident happened.
The governor earlier went to Glan to verify reports that four armed men reportedly tried to ambush the convoy of outgoing town mayor and party mate Enrique Yap Jr. late Sunday evening.
Police authorities have already sent investigators and a team from the regional explosive and ordnance division to look into the bombing attempt.
Dominguez said he was unfazed by the apparent attempt on his life.
?Nothing can stop me from serving my people in Sarangani,? the governor said.
The governor later appeared at the rally of Teodoro held at the gymnasium of the Mindanao Polytechnic College in General Santos City.
Dominguez is seeking a third and last term as governor of the province.
He is running against Juan Domino of the people?s Champ Movement, a party headed by world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao who is eyeing the lone congressional seat of the province.
S/Supt. Gatera said they are still trying to establish the identity as well as the motive of the suspects who planted the bomb.
Dominguez was former national president of Lakas-KAMPI-CMD and was instrumental in the endorsement of Teodoro as the party’s presidential standard bearer.
The governor hwoever resigned from his post following Teodoro who also quit as party chair on March 30 to concentratre on his presidential bid.
Ambush attempt
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, police are now holding in custody six persons after an M16 Armalite rifle and .45 caliber pistol were found in their possession following a car chase in the hamlet of Tamparan in Pangyan, Glan.
Reports said a three-vehicle convoy tried blocked the path of outgoing Glan Mayor Enrique Yap Jr but alert security escorts were reportedly able to disarm the armed men.
Police initial investigation showed that the suspects were identified as Jimmy Mier, 39, resident of Zamboanga del Sur; Alfredo Macabayao, of legal age, with unknown address; Fredie Mendes; and one Ronald Elorde, both residents of Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City. The identity of the other suspect was not immediately available.
The two vans, with plate number MDM-577 and RBR-709, are now under the custody of Glan PNP.
The van bearing plate number MDM-577 was reportedly traced to Jinky Pacquiao but police said they are still verifying the report.
A source said Manny Pacquiao held a press conference Monday morning to deny any involvement in the said ?failed ambush attempt.?
He admitted that his wife owns a fleet of vehicles for rent.
Pacquiao, however, said he will investigate the presence of the van in the scene.
He also hinted that the incident could be part of a scheme to discredit him.
Pacquiao is supporting the candidacy of James Yap who is running for mayor against Ami Yap, wife of his elder brother Enrique Jr.
Enrique Jr is himself running for vie mayor against another estrange sibling, Vivian Yap.
