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Saturday, May 05, 2007
2 'bombers' implicate mayoral bet in blast
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Two suspects in the April 22 roadside bomb blast in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao pointed to a mayoralty candidate of the town as the one who gave them money to blow up the bomb, the military said.
Police have still to verify the information, however.
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Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesman Major Randolph Cabangbang identified the two suspected bombers as Thaos Alimpain and Nasser Mindu.
He said the duo implicated Kabuntalan mayoralty candidate Mike Felmin in the blast, saying he paid them to assassinate the town's mayor.
"The two are saying that mayoralty candidate Mike Felmin of North Kabuntalan financed their roadside bombing operation last April 22. Allegedly, the improvised explosive device came from Kumander Abbas Kudanding of the 105th Bangsamoro Command. We are still investigating their allegations," Cabangbang said.
The suspects were formally charged for illegal possession of explosives before the Midsayap Prosecutor's Office Friday morning.
"They were rouge elements of the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). They were not connected to Basit Usman. Their modus operandi is bomb for sale. They were planning to target Mayor Dilangalen of Kabuntalan," Cabangbang said.
Eastmincom chief Lieutenant General Rodolfo Obaniana said he does not believe that the suspects' actions were sanctioned by the MILF.
The suspects were arrested last May 3 at around 5:30 a.m. by the Army's 602nd and 603rd Brigades, 12th Internal Security Unit, 6th MIB, and 40th IB in a safe house in Sitio Pawas, Barangay Malingao, Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Recovered from the suspects' possession were one ammunition for 105mm howitzer, one garand rifle, one caliber 38 pistol, three two-way radios, a wireless microphone, two cellular phones, components and device for bomb-making, batteries, documents, and personal belongings.
Sun.Star Davao failed to contact Fermin for his comment. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (May 5, 2007 issue)
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Basilan guv bet, followers face gun rap