POLICE and military personnel have arrested an alleged explosive expert of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a law enforcement operation in Zamboanga City on Monday.
Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the suspect as Benjar Engeng alias Ben Akmad, a native of Basilan province and temporarily residing in Maharlika Village, Taguig City.
Galvez said Engeng was arrested around 10:45 p.m. Monday at a pension house in the village of Divisoria, Zamboanga City.
Galvez said the arresting team has recovered an improvised bomb inside Engeng’s room.
The Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) Rendered Safe Procedure to disrupt bomb.
Galvez said Engeng, who is an alleged bomb expert and trainor, is a follower of Imam Intong Mandan, one of the ASG leaders.
Engeng denied that he is a bomb expert of the ASG.