'Bomb caused ferry fire'

2004-10-11 10:35

Manila, Philippines - A bomb probably planted by the Abu Sayyaf group was the cause of a ferry fire in February that killed over 100 people in the Philippines' worst terrorist attack, an investigation concluded on Monday.

Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility immediately after the February 27 fire aboard the Superferry 14, saying it planted a bomb inside a television set that one of its members carried aboard.

However, the government initially played down the possibility of a terrorist attack, despite the Abu Sayyaf claim.

A blast and fire struck the ferry, carrying about 900 people, an hour after it left Manila for the central and southern Philippines.

Officials have said 118 people were killed and 16 others were missing and believed dead.

Transport Secretary Leandro Mendoza said investigators believe the Superferry 14 was targeted because owners WG&A had not complied with an Abu Sayyaf letter last year demanding protection money.

Possible causes

A preliminary investigation had indicated two possible causes: a bomb or a gas explosion.

Mendoza said the investigation had taken so long because the ferry, which ended up lying on its side in shallow water, had to be towed and the wreckage was so twisted.

The ship's captain testified that he smelled gunpowder as smoke engulfed the vessel after the blast.

Other witnesses said it originated from a part of the ship where the Abu Sayyaf claimed to have planted a bomb.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo initially played down the possibility of a terrorist attack, but in March announced the arrests of six Abu Sayyaf members - including one who allegedly confessed to planting the bomb.

Two of the suspects - plus Abu Sayyaf leaders Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Sulaiman and two other members - were charged in the case on Monday.

Security officials have said Redendo Cain Dellosa confessed after his arrest that he stashed about 3.6 kilogrammes of TNT in a TV set that he carried onto the ferry.

Dellosa later claimed he was tortured into signing a confession.

Dellosa allegedly underwent explosives training last year with an Indonesian member of the Muslim militant group Jemaah Islamiyah on southern Jolo island, where the Abu Sayyaf is active, Rafanan said in a report.

Police said the Abu Sayyaf also planned to bomb malls, trains, an oil depot, foreign embassies and other targets in Manila.

- AP