The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said they now have persons of interest in the attempt on the life of Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, said they could not give the details yet or identities of the people behind the detonation of an improvised explosive device when Oaminal and his group narrowly escaped death during a highway explosion in Clarin town while en route to Ozamiz City less than an hour before midnight on 15 October.

Fajardo however said that they are now tracking a vehicle that was spotted in Barangay Lapasan in Clarin town before the ambush try.

Fajardo added that investigation revealed that the IED used also has traces of ammonium nitrate and was triggered by a cellular phone.

Investigators, the police official said, also are not discounting that the attempt on the life of Oaminal may have been politically motivated.

Security precautions were beefed up in the province and other places where the governor frequently visits.

Fajardo added that PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has instructed all the local police chiefs in the area to coordinate with the local executives to prevent similar untoward incidents.

Governor Oaminal, on the other hand, said earlier that crime groups wanted him out because of the progress of the province in terms of peace and order.

The attack on his life, Oaminal said, was orchestrated by those who are behind narco-politics trying to make a comeback in the province.