APPROXIMATELY 30 INJURED IN BASILAN FERRY BLAST

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 003963 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, S/CT, EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, CA/OCS/ACS NSC FOR GREEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2015 TAGS: PTER PINS PREL PGOV CASC ASEC RP SUBJECT: APPROXIMATELY 30 INJURED IN BASILAN FERRY BLAST REF: A. MANILA - OPS CENTER 08-28-05 TELECON ¶B. MANILA 3708 Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. An apparent improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a ferry docked in Lamitan Town, Basilan Province, at approximately 7:00 a.m. August 28. The blast injured about 30 people, although no deaths were reported. The low-tech nature of the device and lack of shrapnel evidence indicates possible extortion motives against the ferry company. The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is a likely suspect, but GRP security authorities are continuing their investigation, with no official conclusions or claims of responsibility as of August 29. Consular has checked and no AMCITs apparently were injured in the incident. End Summary. Estimated 30 Hurt, No Conclusions Yet -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to reports, an estimated 30 persons were injured in an explosion on board the M/V Dona Ramona passenger ferry while docked at a wharf in Lamitan Town, Basilan Province, 600 miles south of metro Manila. BGen Raymundo Ferrer, the Basilan-headquartered Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) brigade commander, told the press that the post-blast investigation revealed black powder. A Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman added separately that investigators found traces of ammonium nitrate. AFP officials discount that the explosion was caused by a cooking gas tank, although Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay (perhaps to downplay self-servingly the terrorism angle) told the press that blast fishing materials were stored adjacent to the canteen. Casualty estimates from the blast range from 23-30 injured, but no deaths. Some of the injured included children. Investigation Ongoing -------------- ¶3. (C) The ferry operator, Basilan Lines Inc., is not commenting on the incident, although this marks the third attack against Basilan Lines personnel and property. According to PNP Colonel Bayani Gusela, the chief of the post-blast investigation, the injured suffered from flash burns and the detonator was a simple improvised wick, possibly using a mosquito coil. Police and military officials believe the ASG may be involved, but as of August 29 there are no official findings or claims of responsibility. No AMCITs Injured -------------- ¶4. (U) According to CONS sources, no AMCITs were injured in the incident. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Although no one has claimed responsibility, the incident has the hallmarks of the ASG, which maintains a diminished presence in Basilan and may be diverting attention from ongoing anti-ASG military operations (ref B). The extortion theory is also highly plausible given the history of threats and attacks against the company. Charge visited the Lamitan wharf to inaugurate a USAID-funded roll-on/roll-off dock on August 23. There is no indication, however, that there is a link between the Charge's visit and the bomb attack. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ JOHNSON