Vice mayor said linked to Davao blast undergoes inquest
A vice mayor of a town in Maguindanao province underwent inquest Saturday on drug related charges filed by police before the justice department.
Abdul Wahab Sabal, vice mayor of Talitay town, was arrested by police late Thursday at the Cotabato Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality.
Sabal, according to his brother Morsheed Manepel, is being linked by authorities to the Davao night market blast last week where at least 14 people were killed.
AIDG director Senior Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, did not reply to a query on what cases they lodged against Sabal, who was among the list presented by President Rodrigo Duterte of alleged politicians linked to illegal drugs.
“We have information from the police and some people that he was being linked in the bombing. Accordingly, he allegedly hired the son of slain Malaysian terrorist to do the bombing. We have no idea on that and we don’t know the son of slain Malaysian foreigner,” Manepel said.
National police Deputy Director General Benjamin Magalong, deputy chief for operations, declined to give details.
"At the moment, I don't want to comment. It's a sensitive issue," Magalong said in a text message to Daily Manila Shimbun.
Duterte on Saturday promised those responsible for the explosion will pay for their crime.
"We're pursuing leads. Too early to be talking about it. I said, do not ask me questions that would telegraph the substance of what I'm trying to say," said Duterte during a press briefing at the Davao International Airport early Saturday.
"It's a national security issue. But I said, I guarantee you, there will be a day of reckoning," he added.
Duterte warned the public to expect more attacks lawless group in retaliation his administration intensified campaign against crimes.
"There will be more because of retaliation, reprisals. But there will be, maybe more blasts but there will be a day of reckoning. Just wait," he said. Emmanuel Tupas/DMS
