Suicide bombers’ accomplice nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Government troops captured a suspected Abu Sayyaf member linked with the three suicide bombers killed last Tuesday.

The military identified the suspect as a certain “Mang” and recovered several unrigged pipe bombs and explosives in a remote village in Barangay Paligue, Indanan town, Sulu.

Col. Gerald Monfort, spokesman for Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) and the Army’s 11th  Infantry Division, said the suspect admitted being part of the group that made the explosives and suicide vests.

“The apprehended ASG member identified as alias ‘Mang’ confessed the location of locally assembled improvised explosive device (IED) inside an ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) safehouse at Barangay Paligue,” Monfort said.

Monfort said Mang led the troops in locating the 16 unrigged pipe bombs.

He said the pipe bombs were identical with those used by the three would-be suicide bombers who were killed at the military checkpoint in Barangay Kan Islam last Tuesday.

The military have to await the result of the DNA tests to determine the identities of the two foreign suicide bombers who were said to be the husband and son of another female bomber who blew herself at a military checkpoint in Indanan town last Sept. 3 

JTFS commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan said he was grateful for the vigilance of the Sulu residents in providing information and alerting the troops on the terror plot.

“The successful operations against the terrorists last Tuesday with the help of the residents manifest that Sulu is no longer a safe haven for ASG bandits and foreign terrorists,” Vinluan said.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto commended the troops in thwarting the terrorists from launching another suicide bombing in Jolo.

Alberto directed the troops to continue their relentless campaign at ending the Abu Sayyaf terrorism in Sulu.

“I salute the JTF Sulu troopers for their successful counterterrorism efforts in this part of the country. Through their dedication and diligence, four ruthless terrorists are finally brought to justice,” Alberto said.