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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
3 town plaza bombing suspects fall
By Sheila E. Covarrubias
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Mayor Celso Lobregat on Tuesday offered P200,000 in exchange for information that could lead to the arrest of the alleged mastermind in the August 21 explosion at the Plaza Pershing here that injured 16 civilians.
Lobregat said three suspected Plaza Pershing bombers were arrested by joint operatives from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and were presented to him Tuesday morning at the City Hall.
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The three suspects named Omar Amping, who has a standing warrant of arrest for a string of cases including murder in 2004, as the brain behind the Plaza Pershing explosion last month.
"We ask the police authorities to include Omar Amping in the most wanted list and we will be giving a P200,000 reward for anybody who could give information leading to the arrest of Amping," Lobregat declared.
Acting City Police Director Manuel Barcena presented to Mayor Lobregat at the City Hall the three suspected bombers who were arrested at the local wharf last week.
The three were identified as Marjuni Ammala, alias "Jun/Noy," 29 years old of Lustre, Sta. Catalina; Aristalon Isniril, alias "Kambal" of Rojo Compound, Talon-Talon; and Ronely Ahman, alias "Omni" of Rio Hondo.
Barcena said the three admitted to the crime and named Amping as the one who paid them P1,000 each to place the improvised explosive devise at Plaza Pershing.
Amping, according to Barcena, is an agent of the Military Intelligence Group (MIG-9) and has a standing warrant of arrest for eight cases, one of which is non-bailable.
He said the arrest of Amping would clear all issues concerning the Plaza Pershing incident that injured 16 innocent bystanders and caused damage to nearby commercial establishments.
Barcena said 16 counts of multiple frustrated murder charges were filed against the three suspects.
Lobregat coordinated with City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron for the possible filing of charges against the three under the newly approved Human Security Act or Anti-terror law.
The mayor congratulated the police and the CIDG for the capture of the three suspected bombers and other efforts being undertaken in connection with the August 21 explosion. "This is a very good way to commemorate the 9/11 attack at the Twin Towers in the US," he said.
The Plaza Pershing incident was caused by an explosive devise concealed in a black bag and planted under a concrete bench located at the right side of the park.
Post-blast investigation conducted by joint military and police explosive and ordnance disposal (EOD) and Scene of the Crime Operatives resulted in the recovery of two ruptured nine-volt batteries, an alarm clock, and an electronic blasting cap placed inside a tin container with a magnet attached on its base.
The three suspects, with the assistance of a legal counsel, signed waivers under the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, and are now under the custody of the 9th CIDG. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (September 12, 2007 issue)
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