2 Kidapawan blast suspects arrested

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — A joint police and Army task force arrested yesterday two suspects in last week’s bombing of a bus terminal in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.

Six people were killed and at least 20 others wounded in what police said was a terrorist attack.

Salih Sultan and Sabdullah Manibpel were taken into custody two days after North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol announced a P1-million reward for anyone who could give information on the identities of the bombing suspects.

Piñol said one of the two suspects was arrested near Kidapawan late Wednesday and led police to the second suspect, and that their two other accomplices are still at large.

He said investigators are still "establishing their link to any rebel group" operating in Kidapawan, where the powerful explosion took place last Oct. 10.

"We are expecting to arrest two others today. We will get them one by one, we assure you," Piñol said.

Authorities were also searching for another powerful explosive device which the suspects are believed planning to detonate also in Kidapawan, he added.

Police said Sultan and Manibpel resemble the two men whom witnesses saw plant the bomb that ripped through the Weena Bus Co. terminal in Kidapawan. – With AFP