Bomb components seized from LRT-2 passenger

A man carrying bomb components was arrested yesterday when he attempted to board the Light Railway Transit 2 (LRT-2) in Pasig City.

Elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) are currently interrogating Zaldy Munda, 40, a native of Bicol and resident of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

Despite Munda’s arrest, however, the operation of the LRT-2, which runs from Santolan in Pasig to Recto in Manila, was not affected.

Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., NCRPO intelligence chief, said Munda and a companion were about to enter the Santolan station at 1:45 p.m. when intercepted by elements of the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU).

Rojas said when RSAU operatives searched Munda’s backpack, it yielded five blasting caps, a time fuse, dynamite powder, 150 emulsion explosives and a cell phone.

Initial investigation conducted by RSAU chief Superintendent Roberto Villanueva revealed that Munda works for a mining firm.

Munda told Villanueva he was on his way to buy parts for his stalled vehicle’s engine when intercepted by RSAU operatives.

"Bibili daw siya ng spare parts ng sirang makina ng sasakyan niya sa Evangelista street sa Makati nang mahuli. Iniwan lang daw ng kasama niya ang backpack sa kanya," the RSAU chief said.

Villanueva claimed Munda’s companion fled after seeing him being accosted by policemen.

Rojas said they are still checking Munda’s story.

We are looking into his claims," he said. "So far, we have found no record against him."

Villanueva said they are trying to determine if Munda belongs to any terrorist organization.

In December 2000, Islamic militants bombed an LRT coach in Manila, killing 20 people in one of the country’s worst terrorist attacks. – With Sandy Araneta, AFP