US embassy cable - 05MANILA3963

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