Police uncover plan to bomb Cotabato anew

Four persons caught last Saturday in possession of blasting caps, detonating cords and other explosive materials, were about to carry out bombings in Cotabato City, police said.

Task Force Triple B chief Senior Superintendent Rolando Dalangin said police uncovered the plan to carry out terror attacks from text messages on the cellular phone units recovered from the four suspects — Norodin Salik, 34, a fish vendor, of Banobo; Castro Mindo Dalama, 43, a real estate broker, of Kalsada, Barangay Tambak; Randy Kalid, 34, a fish vendor, of Barangay Bulalo, all from Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan province, and Esmael Abo, 45, of Zemda Subdivision, Rosario Heights 8, Cotabato City

Police recovered from the suspects at least three cellular phone units all bearing messages about the plan to launch an attack. Police also recovered a detonating cord, a blasting cap, a time fuse, and a motorcycle with license plate MJ-7550.

Police are verifying information that the four are connected with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf terrorist organizations, believed to be behind a series of bombing incidents in the area.

Investigators are also looking into their possible connection to the Jan. 10 blast along SK Pendatun Avenue, which killed 40-year-old garbage collector Boy Mohammad, of Kamasu, Mapatuan, and injured five others.

Police said the four were accosted at around 4:45 p.m. Saturday after a passerby along Don Rufino Avenue near the Central Arcade in Cotabato City overheard them talking about the plan to put a bomb in a crowded area.

The passerby immediately called the police and the suspects were arrested.

Witnesses claimed to have seen two men aboard a red Honda Wave motorcycle left an improvised explosive device at a garbage pile between Octavio Enterprises, owned by businessman Chao Khah, and the Insular Life Building.

Meanwhile, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (ARMMCIDU) filed charges against nine alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BAIF) for the Jan. 5 bombings.

Named in the charge sheet for frustrated murder were Ahmad Akmad Batabol Usman, alias Basit Usman, and MILF-BAIF leader of the 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Division; Ustadz Hawid Tundok, 105th Brigade Commander; Sajid Pakiladatu, 1st Battalion commander; and members Siyo Obal, Sedik Sotto, Ustadz Hawon, Pitta Otto, Abdul Hak, and Kule Mamagong.

Police said the group was behind the bombing in Makakua Street in Cotabato City last July 5. The attack was meant to kill a certain Max Malang Utto, who had received death threats prioir to the bombing.