South Cotabato bomber captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The military captured yesterday a suspect in the two bombing attacks in General Santos and Koronadal, South Cotabato almost two years ago, officials said.

The suspect was identified as Sabdullah Basco Kamsa, alias Abu Sama Abbas, according to Col. Jerry Jalandoni, the Army’s 604th Brigade chief.

Jalandoni said Kamsa was captured on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by the 11th regional circuit branch of the Regional Trial Court at his safehouse in Barangay Poblacion Paglas, Datu Paglas town at around 5 a.m.

"He was positively identified through a cartographic sketch and a tattoo on his right shoulder," Jalandoni said.

The raiding soldiers also recovered from Kamsa one M14 sniper rifle and two rounds of ammunition for 57RR (recoilless rifle) or mini-bazooka.

"The ammunition can be used for improvised explosive devices," Jalandoni said.

He said Kamsa,who is now undergoing tactical interrogation, was tagged as one of those behind the bombing of a public market in Koronadal in 2003. He is also believed to have been involved in the recent Gensan public market bombing.