THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested at least eight persons for their alleged involvement in the Lamitan City bombing that killed 10 people, including soldiers, government militiamen and their families.
The eight arrested suspects and their role in the said incident are as follows:
1. Musa Jallaha -- Middleman for the purchase of the van, helped in loading the IED components and painted the van color white using spray paint
2. Hadji Hurang, alias Nura Narimin -- Kept the detached van seats and white gallons containing traces of IED components
3. Nsir Nuruddin, alias Battuh Murah -- Helped in loading the IED, escorted the van until few kilometers to the blast site
4. Al Basir Ahmad -- Helped in loading the IED and in painting the van and ran errands for the group
5. Abdurahim Lijal, alias Mike Lijal and Mike Usman -- Helped in preparing the van, joined the escort party
6. Ammar Indama, alias Ammar Matahul Mohammad -- Assisted Mammin in preparing the IED, escorted the van
7. Julamin Arundoh, alias Mammin Totong/Abu Mammin -- Bomb expert of the group who assembled and rigged the IED
8. Saad Tedie, alias Boga Tedie/Abu Tedie -- Part of the planning, assisted Mammin in preparing the IED, one of the escorts of the van
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said Monday, September 10, that 10 other suspects in the incident are still at large, including Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, who allegedly ordered the bombing.
Albayalde said the 18 suspects are facing murder and multiple frustrated murder charges before the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 of Isabela City.
The bombing happened on July 31, Tuesday, after an improvised explosive device placed inside a van exploded in a checkpoint in Sitio Bulanting, Barangay Colonia, Lamitan City.
A soldier, five Cafgu personnel and four civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed.
READ: AFP: Only 10 fatalities in Basilan blast, no indication of ISIS involvement
The driver of the van who allegedly detonated the bomb also died in the incident.
Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said the driver of the van was identified to be one of the followers of Indama. (SunStar Philippines)