Thursday, September 21, 2006
Militiaman kills ferry inspector linked to smuggled chemicals
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A government militiaman shot dead Wednesday a ferry cargo inspector implicated in the smuggling of a ton of substance used in the manufacture of explosives after the man ran amuck.
Police said Melchor Caballes was killed after he was shot three times in Mampang village, where he earlier attacked and wounded with a sword his wife Marilou, who is seven months pregnant, and his two children. A neighbor who tried to rescue the victims was also hacked by Caballes.
The man was under police investigation after security forces seized Monday 20 bags of the chemical ammonium nitrate hidden in the cargo bay of the boat m/l Katrina, which arrived here from Jolo, Sulu.
"He attacked everyone he saw in the village without apparent reason," a witness, Victor Dagalea, said.
Neighbors said they heard Caballes and his wife arguing inside the thatched hut and later the woman pleading for help, saying she was being attacked. "We were scared so we ran to seek for help. We saw Caballes armed with a bolo and trying to attack his neighbors," one woman said.
Another neighbor said a patrolling militiaman tried to rescue the wounded and ordered Caballes to lay down his weapon and surrender peacefully, but he refused. "Caballes tried to attack the militiaman, but was felled by bullets," his neighbor said.
Police said they are still investigating the incident, but authorities suspect Caballes could be upset about his involvement in the smuggling of the chemical.
Caballes and four policemen, who escorted the boat, were held for questioning on Monday in connection with the chemical cargo.
Major Frank Clavecillas, commander of the port police in Zamboanga City, said Caballes tried to escape several times by jumping off the boat after the chemical was discovered.
Police freed Caballes late Tuesday and he returned home.
Clavecillas said they suspect the chemical was intended for the Abu Sayyaf, which could be plotting to bomb Zamboanga City during the celebration of the Fiesta Pilar next month.
"We have intelligence report that the cargo is intended for the Abu Sayyaf, which is planning to bomb civilian targets next month, in time for the celebration of the Fiesta Pilar in Zamboanga City," he said. (Sunnex)
(September 21, 2006 issue)
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