Suspect in N. Cotabato bombing nabbed

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Police and military operatives arrested a suspect in the Nov. 16 bombing in North Cotabato that left one person dead and 16 others wounded.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato police director, said Badrudin Abid was arrested at a checkpoint in President Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat.

Peralta said Abid’s arrest was based on the warrant for two counts of motorcycle theft. Police have filed charges of murder and frustrated murder against Abid for the bombing, but the court has yet to issue a warrant.

Monique Mantawil, 16, a student of the University of Southern Mindanao was killed when one of the three bombs planted at an overpass near the Kabacan Pilot Elementary School exploded.

A witness said Abid left an improvised explosive device near the overpass.

Peralta said a manhunt for Abid’s cohorts is ongoing. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe