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Thursday, December 20, 2007
Egyptian 'terrorist' nabbed
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Security forces apprehended on Wednesday an Egyptian national described by authorities as a bomb expert during a raid of his rented apartment in Cotabato City, a military spokesman said.
Lieutenant Colonel Julieto Ando, spokesman of the Army's 6th Infantry Division (ID), said investigations are underway to determine if the suspect, identified as Mohamad Said, has linkages with terrorist groups that are operating in the country.
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"We are still determining his links with the JI (Jemaah Islamiyah)," said Ando of Said who carries the aliases Mohamad Sayed and Abu Husein.
Said is presently under the custody of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Central Mindanao.
According to reports, Said is undergoing investigation at the headquarters of the Task Force Tugis at the Heroes' Hill in Cotabato City, while police prepare appropriate charges to be filed against them.
At least 30 to 40 JI operatives are said to be operating in the country under Dulmatin and Omar Patek who are being pursued by government troops in Sulu.
The two are said to be in the company of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the island province.
Ando said Said was nabbed by combined 6th ID soldiers and Cotabato City policemen at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday at the Women Islamic Center at Campo Muslim, Barangay Mother Bagua in Cotabato City.
He said the arrest was also a result of information provided by residents in the area.
However, Ando could not say when Said arrived in the country or if he was planning some attacks.
Ando said among the items recovered from Said were three meters detonating cord, a one-and-a-half kilos of main explosive charge, two kilos of ball bearing, seven meters of firing wire, an alarm clock, and a toggle switch.
Also seized from the suspect was a booklet on the organization of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a secessionist group that is negotiating for a peace accord with government. Intelligence officials have earlier linked the MILF to terrorist groups but the MILF have denied this. (VR/With Malu Cadelina Manar/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (December 20, 2007 issue)
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