Bombing suspects nabbed in Philippines

Reported here:

Military agents nabbed at Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao over the weekend three suspected bombers believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group, a belated military report here said Tuesday.

Arrested while boarding the Manila-bound Superferry 16 passenger ship on August 27 were Razak Macarimbang, Wahad Sandigan and Sammy Gampong, all residents of Maguindanao province.

Seized from the trio were two homemade bombs supposedly to be used in a bombing mission in Metro Manila in exchange for money.

"The Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) is presently interrogating the suspects as the group reportedly plans to sow terror across the country," 6ID spokesman Lt. Col. Julieto Ando said in an interview.

Admitting that one of the arrested suspects belongs to their organization, Von Al-Haq, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, said they have filed a protest over the military's violation of their existing bilateral ceasefire agreement.

"We have witnesses who can attest that the three were framed up and the pieces of evidence recovered from them were planted," Al Haq said.

In a separate interview, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu clarified that there were no orders from the MILF leadership to stage bombing activities in Metro Manila in exchange for money.

"We are not terrorists but a revolutionary group trying to iron out peace matters with the government," he emphasized.

No comment.