POLICE have arrested a suspected member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who was allegedly involved in several bombing incidents in Mindanao over the past years, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas said on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Norton Salipada Saptula, 23, a member of BIFF Karialan Faction under chief staff Sukarno Sapal alias Diok, was arrested in a counter-terrorism operation in Poblacion, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Wednesday, April 21.
Sinas said Saptula is Soccsksargen’s number 5 most wanted criminal.
A warrant for his arrest for the complex crime of murder with multiple frustrated murder was issued by the Sultan Kudarat Regional Trial Court in November 2018.
Sinas said the arrested suspect was involved in a series of bombing incidents including the August 28, 2018 in Barangay Kalawag 3, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, which resulted in the killing of three people and wounding of 36 others.
He said Saptula also took part in the September 2, 2018 bombing in Barangay Kalawag 2, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that led to two deaths and 14 wounded civilians.
The arrested suspect was booked at Ampatuan Municipal Police Station and was turned over to Isulan Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. (SunStar Philippines)