3 nabbed for setting off bomb vs. soldiers in Davao Oriental

Cateel, Davao Oriental (Wikipedia maps)

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – Three persons have been arrested for allegedly setting off an improvised explosive device (IED) that targeted soldiers in Cateel, Davao Oriental, on Saturday, police on Sunday said.

Two of the suspects — Joedel Nunez and Tantan Bacquiao – were caught by soldiers after detonating the explosives, Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, regional spokesperson of Southern Mindanao police, said.

Quoting a report from the Davao Oriental police, Dela Cerna said the explosion happened around 1 a.m. as troops from the Army’s 67th Infantry Battalion were passing by Sitio (Sub-village) Magong-ong, San Rafael village, on their way to Sitio Yapsay, Talaytay village.

Another suspect identified as Glen Enijada was apprehended as he was about to escape on a black motorcycle without license plates, Dela Cerna said.

She said soldiers led by a Lieutenant Buslon were able to recover from the two suspects a 70-meter electrical wire, assorted batteries, blasting cap, a backpack and a cellular phone.

An alleged accomplice and “financier” identified as Simeon Pamugas was able to escape and is now being sought by authorities, according to Dela Cerna.

No one among the soldiers was hurt in the explosion, the regional police spokesperson added.  SFM/rga