4 hurt in ASG 'motorcycle bomb' blast in Sulu

MANILA (PNA) -- Four people, including a two-year-old boy, were hurt after suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits exploded a motorcycle bomb in Jolo, Sulu Saturday night.Col. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the incident took place at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Manay Videoke Bar at Barangay Busbus, Jolo.Wounded by the blast were Liking Banagudos, 30, a resident of Soldier's Village, Barangay Busbus Harvie Dunggaye, 2, also of the same area Felix Codizal, 58, also of Barangay Busbus and Axis Sacandal, 22, of Port Area, Barangay Walled City, Jolo.Arrojado said that Banagudos, Dunggaye and Sacandal are now in stable condition at the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital.Codizal was able to go home earlier as he sustained only minor injuries in his left foot.Investigations revealed that two suspicious-looking unidentified men left the motorcycle bomb in front of the Manay Videoke Bar at 5:30 p.m.Arrojado said they have information stating that ASG member Alkam Udiaman of the bandit's Ajang-ajang Group along with Almuktar Suddung and an unidentified ASG trainee perpetrated the explosion. Motive of the incident is retaliatory as well as to create diversionary tactic by the ASG because of the ongoing FMO (focused military operations) and LEO (law enforcement operations) of the military and police, he said. (PNA)SCS/PFN