Itinanggi ni National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde na kagagawan ng grupong Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ang pagsabog na naganap sa Quiapo, Maynila noong Biyernes ng gabi na ikinasugat ng 14 katao.

Nauna rito, inanunsyo ng ISIS sa pamamagitan ng Amaq News Agency na sila ang may kagagawan sa naturang pagsabog.

Mariin naman itong pinabulaanan ni ­Albayalde at sinabing ginagamit lamang ng ISIS ang naturang oportunidad para magpasikat.

“Maybe the ISIS was just grabbing the opportunity to promote their cause,” pahayag ni ­Albayalde.

Pero sinabi ni Alba­yalde na hindi na ito magbibigay pa ng karagdagang pahayag ukol sa pag-ako ng ISIS sa insidente.

“It would also appear, that again, as in several instances of acts of violence or disruption of peace and order in other countries, the ISIS is grabbing the opportunity to promote their cause and interest, and gain global recognition by claiming outright responsibility for the said explosion,” wika pa ni Albayalde.

“We, however, shall remain vigilant while we encourage the public to remain calm but vigilant and help us by providing vital information via our hotlines,” dagdag pa ng NCRPO chief.

“In so far as our evidence we have on hand on the explosion (testimonies from witnesses and physical evidence recovered from the crime scene), there is nothing to indicate or show that the Quiapo explosion is connected with any terrorist or threat group,” ani pa Albayalde.

Una nang sinabi ni Philippine National ­Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa na walang koneksyon sa terorismo ang naganap na pagsabog sa halip ay isa lamang itong gang war.

Nanindigan din si ­Albayalde na ang insidente ay isa lamang “local peace and order concern” na kinasasangkutan ng magkalabang grupo sa lugar ng Quiapo.