GOVERNMENT security forces on Wednesday averted a plot to launch a series of bombings in Metro Manila with the arrest of seven suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in a predawn raid in Tondo. The Western Police District director, Chief Supt. Pedro Bulaong, identified the suspects as Abdulbasit Macalaw, 33; Jimmy Salik, 27; Romeo Romo, 39; Abdulwahid Mamuro, 38; Ricky Mendoza, 26; Into Kamid, 60 and Arip Macalawa, 40. Confiscated from them were 4 kilos of ammonium nitrate, 16 pieces of non-electrical blasting caps and assorted time devices. The arrest came days after the PNP put the Metro Manila police on full alert for possible terrorist activities in Metro Manila. Hinting that more arrests would be made soon, Bulaong said police are still following up operations. âWe hope to get some more suspects,â he said. Seventy-five persons were arrested in the raid, but only 10 were held in custody after the rest were cleared. âBesides these seven, three were also found to be murder suspects,â Bulaong said.
| Given the ages of this bunch, it looks like these are higher-ups than the usual 18-25 year-old cannon fodder... |
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu, denied the three were MILF members, saying the raid was part of a government-sponsored crackdown on Muslim communities to impress the US and justify the move to tag the MILF a foreign terrorist organization. |