Davao bombers nabbed in Cotabato City before Pres. Duterte's visit

MANILA (PNA) -- Joint military and police operatives have arrested four more suspects involved in the Sept. 2 Davao City bomb blast that killed 15 people and wounded 70 others, during operations in Cotabato City early Saturday.Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the arrests took place at the Southern Philippine Development Authority (SPDA) Compound in Barangay Tamontaka, and along Ilang-Ilang St., Barangay Rosary Heights 7, both in Cotabato City.The four suspects, who are reportedly members of the Dawla Islamiya Fi Cotabato – Maute Group, have been identified as Mohammad Lalaog Chenikandiyil alias Datu Boi Jackson Mangulamas Usi alias Abu Mansor/Jam Zack Villanueva Lopez alias Haron and Ansan Abdulla Mamasapano alias Abu Hamsa.Hao said the arrests were made by virtue of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, issued by Executive Judge Banzawan Ibrahim of Branch 13 of the 12th Judicial Region Cotabato Regional Trial Court.The locations of the group's hideouts were identified through information relayed by an action agent. The information was verified by follow-up operations made after the arrest last Oct. 4 of the three suspects in the Davao City bombing incident, namely, TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Factural, and Musaili Mustapha.Recovered during the search were a .45-caliber pistol with a defaced serial number, its chamber loaded with an ammunition one .38-caliber pistol with serial number 12899593 six .45-caliber rounds five .38-caliber rounds one piece of magazine assembly for a .45-caliber pistol a handheld radio with charger five boxes of ammo for 5.56mm firearm three pieces of 60mm mortar improvised explosive devices one piece of 105mm howitzer improvised explosive device and a hand grenade.Reports revealed that there were more than a dozen persons involved in the bomb explosion that ripped through a night market. We will not stop until all involved in the Davao bombing incident last September are put in jail, Army commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año said. The Army will continue hunting other terrorists for the protection of the public and to serve justice. The four arrested suspects have been turned over to the local police to facilitate legal procedures. (PNA)