Suspected NPA bomber caught in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Police and military forces captured on Thuesday a suspected bomber of the New People’s Army (NPA) and recovered bomb making materials in Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur, police said here.

Police identified the captured suspect as Joel Sumagop, 36, married and resident of Barangay Saad, and a suspected member of the NPA.

Police Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, information office of Police Regional Office (PRO) 9, said the local police of Dumingag and a platoon of soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion were conducting combat patrol when they spotted the suspect with another unidentified companion carrying sacks loaded with still unidentified material.

However, the suspect with his companion scurried upon seeing the security forces that prompted the hot pursuit operation and led to the capture of Sumagop while his companion managed to escape. 

Samuddin said the security forces recovered from Sumagop 30 pieces of blasting caps, seven pieces of arming devices, 50 meters of electrical wires, 18 pieces of dry cell batteries and one component of an improvised explosive device (IED).

The forces also recovered 765 rounds of ammunition for AK47, medical supplies, foodstuff, toiletries and other personal belongings.

Officials believe that the recovered bomb materials could be part of the plot of the NPA rebel against military and police targets. 

Chief Superintendent Edgar Basbas, PRO 9 director, lauded the police and military unit in foiling bombing attempt following the arrest and recovery of the bomb making materials.

Basbas also directed the police forces in the province to intensify its alert to prevent the rebels from staging attacks.