Abu Sayyaf bomb expert sent to jail

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A suspected Abu Sayyaf bomber captured by the government security forces has been sent to jail following orders from the local court in Zamboanga City, an official said. 

Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9, said the court under the sala of Judge Gregorio dela Cruz Peña also recommended no bail for the detention of the suspect identified as Nujir Ahidji alias Abu Jomar, a native of Jolo, Sulu.

Ortega said the court issued the commitment order last Monday for Ahidji who is charged for illegal possession of explosives.

The suspect, tagged as a bomb expert of the Abu Sayyaf group, was captured by the combined intelligence forces of the Philippine National Police, bomb squad, Task Force Zamboanga and Military Intelligence Group 9 last May 17 in a village just outside the military headquarters of Western Mindanao Command in Barangay Upper Calarian.

City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro said the arrest of Ahidji thwarted the bombing plot of the Abu Sayyaf group in Zamboanga City. 

Casimiro said three days after tracking, police and military intelligence group recovered one of the improvised explosive devices laid by the terror group in the city.