ONE OF the suspects in the explosion in a restobar along Roman Diaz Street, Calinan Poblacion at 10:49 p.m. last Aug. 7 is now in police custody.
Police have yet to identify the suspect that was arrested.
During the media interview on Tuesday afternoon, Davao City Police Office director Col. Alberto Lupaz said the person who planted the bomb was only ordered to do so by the “mastermind,” who is still at large.
Police identified him based on the CCTV footage and witnesses’ accounts.
They also identified the prime suspect who was supposedly the former boyfriend of the bar owner, Monalisa Alegarme Melhem.
“I will give you 24 hours to surrender. If you don’t want to surrender, [just] take care of your life,” Lupaz said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sebastian Duterte spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the send-off ceremony for security personnel for the 38th Kadayawan at the DCPO headquarters.
“Nakuha na ang suspect naa sa police station,” he said. “”But ang nagbutang sa bomba gisugo gyud atong gusto magpabutang (but the person who planted the bomb only took orders).”
Moreover, he said the suspect used black powder, the same material used for firecrackers.
“There are two suspects,” he added.
On Monday, a bomb exploded and claimed the life of one individual while also injuring three others at Roman Diaz Street, in front of Emragila Restobar, in Calinan Poblacion, at 10:49 p.m.
Captain Hazel Tuazon, Davao City Police Office spokesperson, identified the fatality as Romnick Creer Nortarte, 31, with a live-in partner, a resident of Sitio Acacia, Barangay Tamugan, Marilog District.
Meanwhile, Emelita Rotarte Alegarme, 48, housewife, and a resident of Purok 23, Calinan Poblacion; Loribeth Toting Ñocyeo, 50, housewife, and a resident of Sitio Acacia; and Rey Caresosa Agliones, 32, a resident of NHA, Barangay Ma-a, were all rushed to the hospital for their injuries.
Duterte assured Davaoeños and visitors that the incident was isolated.
“We will always presume that these things can happen. It’s not just because there is Kadayawan [celebration]… it has been happening for a very long time already so that’s why we have a culture of security,” he said.
“We have to be vigilant. We have to look after each other,” the mayor said.
