North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said Uldarito Monserati, alias Jun Palma, was arrested Thursday after residents tipped off police on his possible link with the group that carried out the attack.
Monserati, a known drug dependent, has been involved in drug dealing on the streets, he added.
Piñol said authorities are trying to establish a link between the bombing suspects and secessionist rebels operating in Kidapawan and nearby towns.
Piñol said Sabdullah Manibpel was released after police investigators failed to find any evidence to link him with the bombing in Kidapawan.
Meanwhile, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division deployed yesterday plainclothesmen in strategic points in Central Mindanao to guard against any bomb attack.
Army Maj. Julieto Ando, 6th ID spokesman, said 30 armored vehicles have also been sent to the Cotabato-Davao and Cotabato-Isulan highways as part of a massive security dragnet against terrorists.
Ando said 6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Generoso Senga has ordered troops to use force against terrorists and criminals, if necessary, to prevent them from carrying out bombings against civilians.
Islamic religious leaders have volunteered to help the military monitor the activities of criminals in the region, he added.
On the other hand, Hadji Nabil Tan, executive secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the Regional Peace and Order Council has ordered the ARMM police to tighten security in seaports and airports. – John Unson, Lino dela Cruz