Isulan bombing suspect falls
Mindanao Armed Conflict • 08:45 AM Mon Aug 5, 2019
1
By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde (back to camera) view the IED bomb components recovered by bomb experts after the Aug. 28 roadside bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. (PNP Isulan photo)
ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Police arrested over the weekend one of the suspects charged for involvement in one of the two bombings here that left three persons dead and hurt 36 others in August last year.
The suspect, according to Lt. Colonel Junny Buenacosa, Isulan town police chief, is believed to be a member of IS linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters tagged as responsible in the August 28 roadside bombing while the town was preparing its foundation anniversary.
Speaking over DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal, Buenacosa said the 27-year-old suspect named Tutin Kuti was arrested by joint police and military forces in his residence in Barangay Madia, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Saturday.
He operates a vulcanizing shop in Barangay Madia. Kuti denied involvement in the bombing.
Police said based on witnesses’ accounts, Kuti was one of the two young men who left a back pack under a parked motorcycle in front of “Ukay-Ukay” stalls that was set off at about 7 p.m.
Buenacosa said Kuti was also linked to the March 2016 foiled roadside bombing during a town-wide civic-military parade.
Four days after the first bombing, a second bombing allegedly perpetrated by the same group also ripped through an internet café in Barangay Kalawag 2, Isulan that killed three persons and injured dozen others on Sept 2, 2019.
Kuti was arrested based on a search warrant for three counts multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 20 Judge Lorenzo Balo.
The supsect is now detained at Isulan municipal police custodial facility under heavy guard. (Edwin O. Fernandez)