‘Arrest Rizal Day bombers’

A Manila judge issued yesterday warrants of arrest for three men linked to the Rizal Day (Dec. 30) bombings two years ago in a coach of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz. Some 11 persons were killed and scores were wounded in the incident.

Judge Wilfredo Reyes of Regional Trial Court Branch 54 ordered the arrest of Sammy Arinday, Hadji Onos and Col. Efren Torres who face charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder stemming from the Dec. 30, 2000 bombings.

Reyes has sent copies of the arrest warrants to the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.

Intelligence reports showed Onos was identified by witnesses through pictures as the one who allegedly left the bag that later exploded near the door of the coach as he alighted at the LRT Tayuman Station.

Onos, alias Mokles, is an explosives and demolition expert who later joined the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Arinday, on the other hand, allegedly was the one who ordered Onos to recruit members for the bombing operations while Torres commissioned Arinday to plan and carry out the bombing.

Also being tracked down by the NBI are suspects Ibrahim Guindolongan and Roberto Onyot. Guindolongan is an alleged MILF member who was identified by the Philippine National Police as the one who allegedly set-off the car bomb that exploded at the air cargo parking lot of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. – Cecille Suerte Felipe