Alleged bomber slain, companion arrested in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - An alleged bomber was killed and his companion was captured during a fighting in the southern Philippines yesterday, the Philippine military said today.

According to Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, the suspect bomber, identified as Nadzir Pakasi Mongkas, died Friday in a brief clash when he attempted to evade a police checkpoint in Datu Paglas, a town in Southern Philippine province of Maguindanao. His companion named Rahim Guialodin was also apprehended, David added.

The suspects were onboard a multicab-type jeep when they were cornered at a joint police-army roadblock along the Cotabato highway, said David.

Security forces also seized from the suspects' vehicle machine guns, assault rifles, pistol, dozens of rounds of ammunition and improvised explosive devices.

The suspects were allegedly member of a bomb-for-hire gang involved in bomb attacks against transport businesses in the region.