Gov't forces nab another 'Sayyaf bomber'

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - Pursuing military and police forces tracked down and captured another suspected Abu Sayyaf bomber Thursday morning in a remote barangay in Siocon town, Zamboanga del Norte, according to a official.

Police Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), identified the suspect as Najir Ajilul, tagged as bomber and a member of the Abu Sayyaf hit squad Urban Terror Group (UTG).

Ajilul,  also known as Arab-arab, Jamil, Najer, Abu Robin, was captured about 7:45 a.m. Thursday following a brief shootout against elements of the 13th Special Forces Company (SFC) at sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

The suspect was captured as military forces backed by the intelligence units of the police and military  unearthed bombing plot of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Ortega said the arresting forces also recovered from the captured suspect a .45 caliber pistol and a fragmentation grenade.

Authorities on Saturday also  arrested Nujir Ahidji alias Abu Jomar, who is described to be an improvised explosive device (IED) expert, in a village  outside the headquarters of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Police confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf with its cohorts have plotted to stage bombings in key places such as North Cotabato and this city following Ahidji's capture.

The discovery of the bombing threat prompted the police and military to step up the tracking operations against the suspects in the region.