US embassy cable - 05MANILA705

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