ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 19, 2008) – Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo flew to Iligan City in the southern Philippines on Friday, a day after two powerful bombs exploded killing two people and wounding at least 48 others.
Arroyo arrived in Iligan City at around 9:30 a.m. from Bukidnon province where she also visited. She condoled with the families of the two killed in Thursday bombing of two shopping centers – Uni City Commercial Center and Jerry’s Bargain Center, which authorities earlier referred as Jerry’s Supermart.
She spoke with Jinky Suico, the pregnant widow of Erwin Suico, a store clerk; and Elray Badelles, the brother of Jonas Badelles, who was also killed in the blast.
Arroyo also gave P50,000 burial assistance to the families of Suico and Badelles.
She was accompanied by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Rep. Vicente Belmonte.
She was accompanied by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Rep. Vicente Belmonte.
Arroyo also visited those injured in the hospital and distributed envelopes containing P30,000 to the blast victims.
Authorities blamed rogue factions in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as behind the twin bombings, but the country’s largest Muslim rebel group denied the accusations.
“We have nothing to do with the bombings. The MILF is not a terrorist organization and we condemned the attacks in Iligan City,” said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.
Peace talks between Manila and the MILF collapsed in August after the failed signing of the Muslim ancestral domain agreement. (Mindanao Examiner)
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