Bombing suspect falls

MANILA, Philippines -  An alleged bomber, wanted by the Interpol-United Nations Security Council for his link with al-Qaeda, was arrested in Mandaluyong City last Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

It was the third time suspect Ricardo Ayeras, 37, was arrested by authorities – the first apprehension was on Jan. 3, 2006 while the second was on July 29, 2007.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP spokesman, said Ayeras was freed on orders of the court due to technicality.

Cruz said Ayeras was implicated to the Awang Airport in Cotabato City in Feb. 20, 2003 and Valentine’s Day bombing in 2005.

Police said Ayeras, who uses the aliases Abdulkarim/Abduljkareem, was arrested by operatives of the PNP Intelligence Group-Counter Terrorism Division (IG-CTD) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) along Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City at 11 p.m. last Monday.

The arrest was conducted by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Abraham Borreta of Regional Trial Court Branch 154 of Pasig City on Jan. 31 for the airport bombing.

Ayeras was listed in the Interpol-UN Security Council Special Notice for individuals and entities associated with al-Qaida and the Taliban.

“Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1267 (1999) and successor resolutions, including resolution 1822 (2008), Ayeras is under the following UN sanctions: freezing of assets, travel ban and arms embargo,” stated the Interpol-UNSC-Special Notice.

The Interpol Special Notice added that Ayeras has the following permanent reference number on the list maintained by the UN Security Council al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee (1267 Committee) which appears in the Special Notice for this subject: QI.A.248.08

In a report to PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, IG director Chief Superintendent Manuel Barcena said Ayeras was a respondent in Criminal Case No. 135738 for the crime of murder and multiple frustrated murder for the car bombing outside the terminal gates of Awang Airport in Cotabato City. The attacked killed one person and wounded several others.

Police intelligence records listed Ayeras as among the pioneer members of the extremist Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) who attended para-military training at the RSM Training Camp in Anda, Pangasinan.

He eluded arrest when government security forces raided the training camp on May 1, 2002.

In 2003, Ayeras and other RSM members attended military training at an MILF camp in Liguasan Marsh, SK Pendatun, Maguindanao under MILF trainors Abdulmanap Mentang and Jabide Abdul alias Bedz.

The suspect also figured prominently as among the core group of RSM members handpicked by RSM leader Hilarion “Ahmad” Santos that was tasked to undertake bombing operation codenamed “Big Bang” last March 2005.

The attacks targeted several establishments in Metro Manila frequented by foreigners.

Government agents, however, foiled the “Big Bang” by raiding an RSM safehouse in Fairview, Quezon City and seized some 600 kilograms of explosives intended for the planned RSM bombing missions.

Police did not present Ayeras to the media but during media interview after his arrest last July 2007, he maintained that he is a Catholic and was not a member of the RSM.

Ayeras also alleged that he was tortured by the PNP to confess. The suspect alleged he was beaten up, electrocuted, and subjected to psychological abuse while detained at Camp Crame.