April 14, 2010, Inquirer Mindanao, Powerful figures behind Abu Sayyaf's latest attack -- police, by Julie Alipala,

April 14, 2010, Inquirer Mindanao, Powerful figures behind Abu Sayyaf's latest attack -- police, by Julie Alipala,

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf attack here on Tuesday, which killed 14 people and not 15 as earlier reported, appeared to have been instigated by some powerful figures, the police said.

"Based on information we gathered so far, there were indications the Abu Sayyaf was being used to sow violence, it was not pure terrorism,” the Basilan police chief, Senior Supt. Antonio Mendoza, said.

Mendoza said the role of the influential persons – whom he would not identify - in the attack also came out during interrogation made on two Abu Sayyaf members who were captured by pursuing authorities on Tuesday.

"These attackers are seemingly mercenaries. Based on some accounts, they were hired, forced to wear the police uniforms and were directed to implement some attacks and of course, there's money involved," he said.

Pressed as to who these people were, Mendoza said they could be politicians, although he would not give categorical answers.

Mendoza added the police were investigating the ownership of the cream Starex van, which was torn by the explosion near the Basilan National High School.

"We have reports the vehicle was owned by a politician, we cannot make public yet the identity pending deeper investigation," he said.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the military considered the attack an act of terrorism.

"We see it as real terror attack but at the same time, we cannot discount the possibility of political color and it is being investigated by our police in Basilan," Dolorfino said.

He rejected insinuations the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was involved in the blast, which Mendoza described as “well-orchestrated.”

"There is no link established that may involve the MILF here, during a cellphone conversation between (Brig.) Gen. (Eugene) Clemen and the MILF, all their members are fully accounted for," Dolorfino said.

Meanwhile, a day after the explosion, fear was still gripping the city with businesses, banks and government offices closed.

Businessmen said they were selling only to people they knew.

Jessie Tan, a grocery store owner, said they were screening customers because they might be dealing with terrorists already.

Dolorfino said security has been tightened and that the city has been secured by two Marine battalions and a battalion from the police's Special Action Force.

Meanwhile, Mendoza, the Basilan police chief, said only 14, not 15 as earlier reported by the Inquirer, were killed.

Mendoza added that SPO4 Enrico Morales was only wounded, not killed.

Among those killed were Police Officer 1 Elmer Cajalne and civilians Edilberto Lela Luna, Jayjay Laracochea, Rodelio Francisco, Engr. Albert Cenibalo and Ivan Nabi.

Another victim, identified only as Enrico, was brought to Zamboanga City where he later died.

Mendoza could still not provide the names of the three Marine soldiers killed.

The Abu Sayyaf bandit who was killed in the grandstand explosion was named Benzar Indama.

Police and soldiers were pursuing the bandits, who allegedly took hostage a civilian identified only as Ramil, who withdrew towards Lamitan City.

"Wala pa kaming mga tulog, patuloy itong pursuit operation, lahat kumikilos (We have not had any sleep as pursuit operations go on and everybody is helping)," Mendoza said.

Dolorfino of the Western Mindanao Command, said they gathered reports that one of those being pursued was Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama.

Dolorfino said residents saw four bandits hiding in a mangrove area in the village of Tabiawan.

Mendoza said the two suspects who were arrested after the attack have been placed in the Don Navarro Hospital inside Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

Dolorfino said five more suspects have been under interrogation at the 1st Marine Brigade headquarters in Tabiawan here.