ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police raided a hideout of the Abu Sayyaf Group and arrested four suspected bombmakers in this city at dawn yesterday.
Police Regional Office for Zamboanga Peninsula director Police Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla identified the suspects as Aljiver Habibula, 35; Omar Julaspih, 22; Rody Marail, 36, and Nash Amik, 32, all residents of Sulu.
Quidilla said the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided the temporary hideout of the group on Manggal Drive in Barangay Baliwasan Grande at about 3 a.m. through a search warrant issued by a court here.
The search warrant for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, was served following surveillance on the activities of the suspects, police said.
Barangay Baliwasan chairperson Jamiely Czarina Cabato said the suspects were placed under surveillance as they were suspected to be dealing illegal drugs.
Cabato said their suspicion began when the suspects chose to stay at the house they were renting while the other residents in the area evacuated when a flash flood recently inundated the area.
The suspects reportedly plan to bomb vital government installations and places of gathering in this city during the month-long observance of the feast of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar which will open tomorrow. Thousands of local and foreign tourists are expected to visit the city during the celebration of the feast of the miraculous Lady of the Pilar on Oct. 12.
Police recovered from the suspects bomb-making components and materials and ammunition. The suspects are believed to be members of the ASG Urban Terrorist Group operating in Basilan, Sulu, and this city.
Quidilla encouraged the people to be more vigilant and report all suspicious persons to the police in their areas.
The suspects are now detained at PNP-CIDG detention cell here pending the filing of appropriate charges against them in court. (Nonoy E. Lacson)
