An example of an improvised explosive device used in Mindanao bombings (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
COTABATO CITY – Hours after President Duterte left this city where he launched anti-poverty programs for Mindanao, police and military bomb experts here recovered, and safely defused an improvised explosive device from the house of a suspect in the Sept. 2 Davao City bombing.
Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., speaking for the Police Regional Office 12, said the discovery of an 81-mm mortar complete with triggering devices (battery and mobile phone) came after the Cotabato City police office received an information about a suspected IED in the house of Mohammad Lalaog Chenikandiyil alias Datu Boi in Barangay Rosary Heights 7 here.
Immediately, the bomb disposal unit went to the area, found the IED and safely defused it.
“It’s good the information was relayed timely to the police, it saved lives and properties,” Galgo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone. “It would have been bloody had it landed in the wrong hands,” he added.
Chenikandiyil was one of the four suspects arrested in early Saturday morning joint operations inside the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) compound in Barangay Tamontaka, along Ilang-Ilang Street, Cotabato City.
Beside Chenikandiyil, the police also arrested Jackson Mangulamas Usi alias Abu Mansor/Jam; Zack Villanueva Lopez alias Haron; and Ansan Abdulla Mamasapano alias Abu Hamsa, all Cotabato City-based members of Maute terror group.
Galgo said the IED was safely deactivated using water disruptor at 10 p.m. Saturday.
The recovery of THE IED came hours after President Duterte visited and left the city where he launched anti-poverty programs.
Police and military authorities said information was verified by follow-up operations made after the arrest last Oct. 4 of the three suspects in the Davao City bombing incident, namely, TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Factural, and Musaili Mustapha.
The Davao City bombing left 15 dead and at least 60 others injured after the suspect detonated a powerful improvised bomb at the Davao City nigh market.
With the arrest of four, the Davao bombing suspects now in government custody rose to seven. Police earlier said a dozen individuals were involved in the Davao bombing. SFM