BIFF man who yielded ‘durian bomb’ charged

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed multiple criminal charges against a suspected member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who was recently caught carrying an improvised explosive in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

A source told The STAR that the suspect, Abulgani Malang, was in a bus station heading toward Cagayan de Oro City when NBI agents and policemen nabbed him while carrying the improvised explosive stuffed in a durian fruit.

The “durian bomb” was covered by a black cloth and placed in a box with an alarm clock connected to it as a triggering device.

Malang was brought to Manila and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and for violating the Commission on Elections ban on firearms and explosives.

According to the source, the NBI received intelligence reports that a suspected bomber would board a Weena bus from Midsayap town to Cagayan de Oro City last Oct. 5. This prompted the NBI to deploy its agents in Barangay Tugal.

At around 11 a.m., Malang, carrying a box, arrived onboard a Kawasaki motorcycle. He was wearing a red shirt, faded denim jeans, and a pair of green slippers. 

When his features matched those provided in the intelligence report, a bomb-sniffing dog walked near his motorcycle and sat.

“The trained dog sat so the agents knew it’s positive. He has an (improvised explosive) in his possession,” the source said.