ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Government troops have arrested a suspected al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bomber allegedly behind a failed attempt to bomb an airport in the island province of Sulu, a military official said Wednesday.

Colonel Eugenio Clemen, chief of the 3rd Marine Brigade, said the bomber was arrested while about to withdraw money from a bank Tuesday morning in the village of Walled City, Jolo.

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The suspect was identified as Almid Jundam, a resident of Lantong village in Maimbung town. He is also said to be a follower of Abu Sayyaf mid-level leader Gafur Jumdail, who is an explosive expert.

Clemen said that Jundam was arrested by troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 4 headed by Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caculitan, following information from concerned civilians in the area.

Soldiers recovered from the suspect a bag containing a wig and a camouflage uniform.

Initial investigation said Jundam was responsible for setting up two improvised explosive devices (IED) at the airport extension in Jolo last Saturday. The bombs were left on a motorcycle parked outside the airport.

The Explosive Ordnance Detachment Team of the 3rd Marine Brigade, however, was able to defuse the IEDs before they exploded.

Clemen said Jundam also admitted his involvement in the bombing of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church in Zamboanga City last year. No one was hurt in that attack.

A witness also identified Jundam as allegedly behind the fatal shooting last October 8 of Khomieni Sawadjaan, 23, and Ubay Damsik, 60, at Alat village in the municipality of Indanan.

Khomieni's mother Mira Sawadjaan, who witnessed the shooting, positively identified Jundam.

According to military reports, Jundam is the third Abu Sayyaf bandit to be neutralized by government troops in Sulu this month.

The first was mid-level leader Sakirin Andalan Sali alias Kirih-Kirih, who had a P2 million bounty for his arrest. He was arrested last November 5.

Another Abu Sayyaf militant identified as Faidar Hadjadi alias Abu Solomon, who had a P300,000 bounty on his head, was also killed in a firefight last November 14.

Major General Juancho Sabban, chief of the Joint Task Force Comet, meantime said the arrest of Jundam is another success in the crackdown against Abu Sayyaf bandits notorious for kidnappings, beheading hostages, and bombings.

The Abu Sayyaf is on the US list of terrorist groups.

It has been crippled by US-backed military offensives but continues to be a threat in the country's volatile south.

Navy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo said the group, apparently cash-strapped, has ventured into "narco-terrorism," using proceeds from illegal marijuana farms to fund its activities.

Since May, marines and anti-drug enforcement agents have uprooted and burned at least P7 million ($140,000) worth of fully grown marijuana plants in Jolo, Arevalo added. (Bong Garcia/AP/Sunnex)

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(November 20, 2008 issue)
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