Bombing suspect nabbed in Taguig

The Southern Police District (SPD) recently arrested a suspect in an alleged grand plan to bomb SM shopping malls and a food terminal in Metro Manila.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said Kaharudin Usman Talib was arrested by policemen from  the SPD District Intelligence and Investigation Division and the National Capital Region Police Office in the vicinity of SM Bicutan.

Policemen confiscated materials used in bomb-making from Talib.

A follow-up operation conducted at Talib’s house in Maharlika Village, Taguig City, resulted in the seizure of one improvised explosive device and a cell phone together with other paraphernalia used to manufacture bombs.

Police said they received intelligence reports stating that a team, which included Talib, was dispatched to bomb certain areas in Metro Manila.

The bombing attacks are supposed to be synchronized with those to take place in the cities of Tacurong, Koronadal, Davao and General Santos. The order reportedly came from a leader of the terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

The operations are reportedly intended to obtain fund support from international JI financiers.

Police said a text message of known terrorist Basit Usman, who has links to the JI, to Talib revealed the planned bombing.

Talib is also said to be the driver of the car bomb that was recovered last June 13 in Surallah, South Cotabato. He is also implicated in the bombing of the Yellow Bus terminal in Koronadal, South Cotabato. Talib’s group had not been successful in their recent operations, according to police.

Talib will be charged with violating Presidential Decree 1866, which prohibits the illegal manufacture, use and trade of explosives, firearms and ammunition.  – Rhodina Villanueva