Cops nab alleged IS bomber, foil bombing plot in GenSan, nearby areas

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Authorities have arrested a man who is allegedly part of a team purportedly plotting to set off bombs in Mindanao during the Yuletide season, police said Friday.

Police Region 12 director Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco said Jamio Sala or “Jum-Jum,” 30, was arrested in his home along Osmenia Street, Barangay Dadiangas East at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Rasco said Sala is included in DND Martial Law Arrest Order No. 2.

According to Rasco, a fragmentation grenade was seized from Sala, who is believed to be a member of Ansar Khilafa-Philippines (AKP).

To recall, AKP founding head Mohammad Jaafar Maguid was killed in a police operation in Sarangani two years ago.  AKP has been linked with the Maute terrorist group of Lanao del Sur and Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

Rasco said Sala allegedly worked under Singaporean bomber Salahuddin Hassan, also known as “Orak,” and was to head a team of bombers who would allegedly carry out bombings in General Santos City and nearby areas during the holidays.

Rasco also said Sala was involved in the August 2008 terrorist attack in Barangay Poblacion, Maasim in Sarangani, and April 2010 bombing in Malapatan, also in Sarangani.

Moreover, Rasco said Sala was also behind the September 2014 bombing in front of General Santos City Hall that injured seven people. The following year, Sala also allegedly set off an improvised bomb at the same city plaza, though nobody was hurt.

On June 2016, Sala was among the suspects who lobbed a grenade at a police station of Maasim town during the town’s foundation day, killing a policeman and hurting five police officers, authorities said.

Rasco further said Sala was behind the attempt to bomb a town plaza in Kiamba, Sarangani during the recent lighting of Christmas tree there. /kga