Village councilman yields bomb-making materials in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - Police arrested a village councilor for yielding bomb-making materials at a checkpoint in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte on Sunday.

Siocon police chief Senior Inspector Malahal Jauhali Said identified the suspect as Bassal Sabdani Turabin, 50, a village councilor of Barangay Lagundi, Sirawai municipality, an adjacent town of Siocon.

According to Said, the Siocon police operatives headed by Inspector Joeie Alcasarin flagged down Turabin, who was driving an unlicensed motorcycle, along the highway in Barangay A.L Micubo.

Turabin yielded 10 pieces of cut red detonating cord, 30 pieces of blasting caps which can be used in making a dynamite, or a more powerful bomb that may be remotely detonated.

“We are still investigating as to the possible use of the explosive materials. But the way we see it is unlikely to be used for blast fishing only,” Said said.

Charges are being prepared against the village councilor.