The Manila Police District (MPD) filed Thursday criminal charges against the two suspects who left an improvised explosive device (IED) near the US Embassy.
Police said the suspects identified as Rayson Kilala, alias Rashid, 34, of Bagumbayan, Bulakan, Bulacan and Njiaher Goinar, 30, of Marawi City, were charged with illegal possession and explosives.
Based on police report, firearms and grenade were seized from the suspects’ possessions during their arrest.
The suspects had undergone separate inquest proceedings at about 7 p.m. Thursday at the Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office and Bulacan Provincial Prosecutor.
Senior Supt. Joel Coronel, MPD director, said Kilala was arrested in Bulacan while Goinar was traced in Caloocan Wednesday after a composite sketch of the suspect was released by the Philippine National Police.
A separate case of attempted bombing will be filed against the suspects before the Department of Justice, Coronel said.
The suspects were allegedly members of Anzar Al-Khalifa Philippines, which is believed to be a cell group of the Maute Group.
An explosive similar to ones used in the deadly Davao blast was found about 200 meters away from the US Embassy on Monday. The bomb was later safely detonated by the bomb squad.
STREET SWEEPER AWARDED
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways honored yesterday the street sweeper who discovered the IED in a trash bin.
In a ceremony, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar awarded sweeper Ellie Balabagan, “the hero behind the foiled bombing, with a certificate and P20,000 cash.
Balabagan, from Iligan City, Northern Mindanao, started working as a sweeper for the agency six months ago. (with a report from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos) (BETHEENA KAE UNITE)
