Cops foil Cotabato bombing

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Policemen intercepted a motorcycle-riding man with a grenade in his pocket here on Wednesday, possibly preventing another bombing in the city. 

Esmael Gandawali was arrested after a brief chase after he refused to pull over when police officers flagged him down at a roadblock in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, said Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, Cotabato City police director.

Police and Army intelligence units are still trying to determine if Gandawali has links with Malaysian terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, who was killed by Special Action Force commandos last Jan. 25, and Abdul Basit Usman.

Balquin said Gandawali would be charged with illegal possession of explosives, and robbery if it is confirmed that he has stolen the motorcycle.