Pnoy: 3 groups behind Mindanao bombings

The recent spate of deadly bombings in Mindanao could be the handiwork of not just one but several groups 'desperate' to derail the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday.

Aquino, who attended the 22nd Mindanao Business Conference in Davao City, told reporters that they were looking into three groups that joined forces to launch the attacks in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato, Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

"Basically may mga groups na nagsama-sama. Itong tatlong grupo ang aming tinitignan na noon ay may pagka-loose ang samahan pero tila ngayon lalong nagsama-sama o nagjoin na…may pagka-despereado na nga para mahadlang ang peace process (Basically we are looking at three joined groups, which before had a loose ties but now have joined together…they are desperate to obstruct the peace process)," Aquino said.

He said rewards would be given to those who would provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects in all the bombing incidents.

Aquino declined to give further details on the operations to capture the suspects as he noted that authorities are still conducting a deeper investigation into the security situation in the south.

"Tinitignan all possible angles…we'll have a more thorough brief later this afternoon," he said. Aquino will meet with the Cabinet security cluster at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Asked if there could be a possible spillover of the deadly attacks in major cities in the south, Aquino said, "Meron sila mga aspirational plans. Parati lumalabas sa reports na may intention, Davao in particular, pero umiiwas sila kasi maganda ang seguridad dito (They have aspirational plans. There are always reports of this intention, Davao in particular, but they are prevened by the strict security here)."

Aquino said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on heightened alert in Mindanao.

In the past two weeks, suspected Moro bandits staged four deadly attacks in the south that killed at least ten people and injured scores others.

The government is in the homestretch in striking a peace deal with the MILF which is expected to result in a Bangsamoro Political Entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Several groups, including the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters(BIFF), are apparently hell-bent in derailing the peace talks by launching attacks against authorities and civilians.

Aquino assured that culprits in the bombings in Mindanao will be brought to justice. (PNA)