NBI spots Rizal Day bomber in Mindanao

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has spotted in Mindanao one of the people behind the 2000 Rizal Day bombing that left at least 22 people dead and nearly a hundred others wounded.

A highly reliable source in the law enforcement community said the suspect, known only as Moklis, was seen recently "near Cotabato City."

Moklis is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Manila judge in connection with the Dec. 30, 2000 bombings that hit the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz and Plaza Ferguson in Manila, a bus in Cubao Quezon City, an abandoned gasoline station along EDSA in Makati City and a warehouse near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City.

The suspect is believed to have been involved in the Rizal Day bombings and authorities are checking if he had a hand in the March 4 Davao airport bombing.

"We spotted him in Cotabato recently, but we have asked first the appropriate courts to update the warrant for his arrest," the source said. "Updating an arrest warrant is necessary to prevent the suspect’s lawyers from questioning its legality in the future."

The arrest order was issued against Moklis in 2001, shortly after police and military officers arrested the first batch of suspects in a series of follow-up operations in different parts of the country.

Under the rules, the court should be informed of any development after the issuance of a warrant.

Cotabato, the source said, is one of the areas in Mindanao reportedly being targeted by terrorists who may have carried out the bombing of the Davao International Airport that killed at lease 21 people and wounded some 160 others.

When arresting officers returned to the area armed with the "updated warrant of arrest," Moklis was nowhere to be found. "Grabe, hindi na kami nakakain sa paghintay kay Moklis pero hindi siya nagpakita ulit (We mised our meals while waiting for Moklis, but he did not show up again)."

However, the source said, the property of the government now also to give a green light to tighten security for at least five witnesses in the case, including those in the provinces.

In 2001, NBI charged several personalities for the Rizal Day bombing, including Fathur Al-Ghozie, who confessed to helping finance the attack on the LRT, Blumntritt station.

The NBI also filed charges against Moklis and one Jimmy Arinday, also implicated in the LRT bombing.