Four more suspects in the Davao bombing incident last Sept. 2 were captured on Saturday by joint forces from the military, police and intelligence services during two separate raids in Southern Philippines.
Col. Benjamin Hao, Army spokesperson, said the suspects were taken from the Southern Philippine Development Authority (SPDA) Compound in Barangay Tamontaka, and along Ilang-Ilang Street in Barangay Rosary Hts. 7, both in Cotabato City.
They were identified as Mohammad Lalaog Chenikandiyil alias Datu Boi; Jackson Mangulamas Usi alias Abu Mansor/Jam; Zack Villanueva Lopez alias Haron, and Ansan Abdulla Mamasapano alias Abu Hamsa. They were reportedly members of the local terrorist group, the Dawla Islamiya Fi Cotabato–Maute Group.
The arrests were effected by virtue of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition issued by Judge Banzawan Ibrahim of the 12th Judicial Region Cotabato Regional Trial Court.
Hao said the group’s hideouts were identified through the information relayed by an action agent and collaborated by the follow-up operations made after the arrest last Oct. 4 of the three suspects of the Davao bombing incident, namely TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Factural, and Musaili Mustapha, all members of the Maute terrorist group.
Recovered items from the search were a .45-cal. pistol with a defaced serial number, chamber loaded with an ammunition; a .38-cal. pistol with serial number 12899593; six rounds of ammunition for .45- cal.; five rounds ammunition for .38-cal.; one piece of magazine assembly for .45-cal.; a handheld radio with charger; five boxes of ammo for 5.56 mm firearm; three pieces of 60 mm mortar improvised explosive devices; one piece of 105 mm howitzer improvised explosive device; and a hand grenade.
Reports revealed that there were more than a dozen personalities involved in the Davao bombing last Sept. 2.
“We will not stop until all involved in the Davao bombing incident last September are put in jail,” said Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año, Army commander. “The Army will continue hunting other terrorists for the protection of the public and to serve justice.”
The four are now under the custody of the local PNP so they can face charges.
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