Pol’s aide eyed in LRT bomb case

One of those allegedly behind the bloody bombing at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) station in Blumentritt, in Manila two years ago, is now allegedly employed as a staff member of a politician, the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday said.

NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco told reporters that Sammy Arinday, the alleged ground commander of the bombing operation, is now allegedly the politician’s chief of staff.

Wycoco refused to reveal the identity of the politician pending further investigation.

Recently, the Manila Trial Court issued warrants for the arrest of Arinday, Hadji Onos, an explosives-demolition expert who reportedly joined the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the operation’s alleged "go-between," the mysterious Col. Efren Torres.

NBI investigation showed that Arinday allegedly directed Onos to recruit members of the operation, while Torres was the one who allegedly acted as the go-between between Onos and Arinday.

Wycoco said the case against Onos was fortified after he was linked to alleged Indonesian terrorist Fathur Al-Ghozi.

It was earlier reported that Al-Ghozi, who was arrested by military intelligence officers in Manila, claimed to have given Onos money to stage the LRT Blumentritt station bombing. – Mike Frialde