SITREP Ol: NEAR SIMULTANEOUS BOMBS ROCK THREE

UNCLAS MANILA 000705 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR DS, SSO, EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, S/CT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC PINS RP SUBJECT: SITREP Ol: NEAR SIMULTANEOUS BOMBS ROCK THREE PHILIPPINE CITIES Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Three near simultaneous explosions rocked Manila and two cities in the southern Philippines around 7:OO pm local time February 14. Dozens of casualties are reported but no firm figurcs are yet available. No Amcits are reported injured or killed. Media reports link the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemmah Islamiyah, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to the explosions. Mindanao Explosions -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to media sources an explosion occurred in the Ecoland Bus Terminal in Davao around 6:3O pm. According to initial media reports two were wounded in the blast. A second explosion near the Gaisano Mall of a mortar round in General Santos City killed at least three and 32 injurcd. Manila Blast -------------- ¶3. (SBU) A bus bomb reportedly killed at least four and wounded at least 40. The explosion occurred at the busy intersection of EDSA and Ayala Avenue where many buses trawl for passengers who congregate on the roadside. Two other buses were reportedly damaged and witnesses on the scene report a large explosion. Police report a fourth bombing was thwarted in the Paranaque neighborhood of Metro Manila. Media reports the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemmah Islamiyah, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as possibly involved. Embassy Response -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Embassy Manila is setting up its crisis center. Consular Section is dispatching a warden message warning Amcits to avoid public places in the coming days pending further understanding of potential threats. We have requested augmented security around the Chancery and Seafront residential compounds. At this time Embassy has no reports of injured or killed Amcits. Ricciardone