Cops on alert for bomb plots after Zambo blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Police and military forces have been placed on double alert following the arrest of three suspected bombers, believed to be linked with the Abu Sayyaf.

Police Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro said the police have arrested three suspects identified as Marcel Ammak Jumadil, 35 years old, Jumdan Ammak Dassan, 45, both married and  natives of Barangay Malimbaya, Indanan, Sulu and Al-Shirit Sabdani y Taibo, 49 years old, also married and resident of Tandubas Municipality, Tawi-Tawi.

Security said while they were still trying to investigate deeper on the blast at a massage parlor in Zamboanga City, they were inclined to believe that the bombing on Tuesday night could be part of the diversionary attempt of militants to distract the pursuit operation of the government forces in Basilan and Sulu.

The bombing at the Princess Massage and Videoke Bar along Tomas Claudio Street, barely a block away from the City Police Office in the commercial district, damaged the establishment but injured no one, Casimiro said.

Jumadil was initially arrested minutes after the blast while trying to escape aboard a motorcycle. He later pinpointed the two others as his cohorts.

Prior to the explosion, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 received intelligence reports that there are members of the Abu Sayyaf Group which have slipped into the city and were planning to conduct bombings.

The PRO 9 intelligence reports disclosed that the plot is part of the Abu Sayyaf efforts to divert the attention of the ongoing military operations in Basilan and Sulu against the group. 

PRO 9 director Chief Superintendent Edgar Basbas urged the civilians to be extra vigilant as militant members are trying to merge with people in the public to avoid detection.

Col. Andrelino Colina, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Group Zamboanga, said soldiers have also intensified security in the coastal areas while intelligence units are tracking movements of the Abu Sayyaf group.