MNLF bomber held for slay of US troops

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) bomb expert linked to the killing of two US marines and a Filipino soldier in 2009 was arrested over the weekend in Indanan, Sulu.

Mihaji Hamjuda, alias Mahang, also wanted for a series of crimes, was arrested by joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Western Visayas and a military support team.

CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong said Hamjuda was arrested last Saturday at about 10:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Ummul Qurrah, Barangay Kajatian.

Magalong said Hamjuda was involved in the Kagay roadside bombing incident in 2009, which killed the three military men.

He has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court 9th Judicial Region Branch 4, Parang, Sulu.

Magalong said Hamjuda would be brought to Zamboanga City before his transfer to Cebu for court hearing.