Mayor Rody on Davao Malls Bombing: Starbucks was the target

Mayor castigates mall operators for lax security.  Photo | Joey Dalumpines PIA-XI

Davao Mayor Rody Duterte said that the investigation team theorized that an American based establishment particularly Starbucks was the target of the bomber as per his Intel record and he still didn't get the whole picture why it went up   ( referring to SM Cinema 1). He added that the military intelligence warned Starbucks already prior to the explosion.

There were reports that the movie goers were told by men in black not to occupy the chairs near the white screen. While some analysis shows that the bombing was meant only to scare people, Mayor Duterte considered the act as a form a terrorism attack. Five people were reported rushed to the hospital because of temporarily lost hearing after the loud explosion.

Mayor called Nur Misuari tuesday morning and according to him MNLF has nothing to do with it. Duterte is confident that this rebel group is out of the picture. " For me it's 1 out of 10 to rate the possibility". He said.

September 16, Monday night, suspected improvised explosive devices were placed on a chair of SM Ecoland Cinema 1 and Gaisano Mall Cinema 5 wrecking several chairs after explosion.

Duterte suggested that movie houses must provide adequate security. " If you cannot provide adequate security, I will close your movie houses". warned Mayor Duterte.

My Opinion.

Why mall operators were too lax? How could an IED passed the mall security guard and cinema security personnel? Is it because life is here and we have the smartest intel in the country? Is it because we have a strong Mayor like Digong and we tend to be dependent on him?

If this is a diversionary tactic to cover up Napoles issue, this is the lamest and dullest strategy in the universe. The 10-billion scam is the newest top rated teleserye on Philippine TV because every Filipino is part of the story. The only thing that can divert the attention of the tax payers and to end the Pork Barrel story is Armageddon- the end of the world. Everyone is following the progress of the investigation now. Everyone cares even the members of the media themselves. Gone are the days of new-big-news-covering-old-chika.

(Related story > Bomb Threat in Davao, after CDO and Cotabato )

The bombings occurred in Davao malls are most likely part of the bombing series. For me, the string of threat starting from CDO coffee shop bombing that killed several lives last August continues. Davao was spared last Kadayawan maybe because of the tight security defense.Being lax and over confident is the safe passage of these bomb rockers. 

Our country is filled with doubts, Hucos-pocus, greed, and entertainment. We are the most creative story teller of the world. Our government leaders are the best actors while we, the people of the Philippines are the real martyrs. The majority voted these 'paulit ulit' surnames in politics that's why our cases of corruption is 'paulit ulit' also. Even the escape tactic is 'paulit-ulit' - fuck that wheelchair!

Be safe Juan!