Friday, February 02, 2007
Bomber arrested in raid not Muslim militant
By Ben O. Tesiorna
MORO Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu denied Thursday authorities' claim that the arrested bomb expert in Taytay, Rizal was a member of his group.
"Malabo yan, wala sa amin yan," was all Kabalu could say about Sandali and Mohammad Utto, who were the subject of an early morning raid at Block 4, Lot A, Purok 6, Lupang Arenda, Barangay Sta. Ana in Taytay, Rizal Thursday.
Authorities claimed the two are members of the MILF Special Operations Group.
Mohammad died after a firefight with police and military authorities around 4:30 a.m.
Senior Superintendent Asher Dolina, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region, said the Uttos were being monitored by the authorities for sometime now after they received reports that the two were planning "something" and were coddling Abu Sayyaf members who come to Manila.
The two were said to be hired killers as well.
Operatives from the PNP Maritime group and the Marines were supposed to serve the arrest warrant on Mohammad Utto when he allegedly fired and had even intended to throw a grenade at them.
A television report said Mohammad was lying on an unexploded grenade when he died.
Authorities have to call in personnel from the explosives ordnance division to ensure that the grenade would not explode when Mohammad's body is moved.
Sophia Dalana, Mohammad Utto's wife, and an alleged MILF member, Bagiuo de Embada, were also injured in the encounter.
In a separate operation, police swooped down on Sandali Utto's residence, also in Taytay, where several submachine guns, magazines, live ammunition, and explosive devices were seized.
Sandali is now under the custody of the CIDG-NCR.
Kabalu meanwhile cautioned authorities against accusing the MILF without any solid evidence, saying this could have a negative impact on the peace process.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
(February 2, 2007 issue)
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