Philippine Military on alert for 2 Malaysian bomb experts

Military forces in Mindanao raised their alert level following reports on the alleged presence of two Malaysian bomb experts out to train local terrorists.

Intelligence reports circulating in Cagayan de Oro said the Malaysians are in addition to four Jemaah Islamiyah members – three Indonesians and one Singaporean – in the region engaged in training the Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Central Mindanao.

The report said a foreign terrorist and 10 BIFF members were targeting Cagayan de Oro for bombing.
The BIFF had earlier threatened to bomb key areas in Mindanao and Manila after it suffered heavy casualties from last week’s firefights with government forces in Central Mindanao. Some 50 BIFF members were reportedly killed in the armed conflict.

The reports named the Singaporean as Mawiya Husayfa who carries a $1-million bounty on his head, and the other three as Abdul Kiram, Mujair Algozi and Basit Usman, whose bounty was placed at $10 million.   

Article Source: Philippine Star

Two IEDs Recovered in North Cotabato Town

KIDAPAWAN CITY  – Two powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered along the highway in M’lang town in North Cotabato, around 7:30 p.m. yesterday, police officials said.

Inspector Rolando Dillera, deputy chief of police of M’lang, said that both IEDs were fashioned from a 60-mm mortar with a blasting cap, detonating cord and a clock as the triggering device.

Dillera said it was a balut vendor that informed them of the suspicious package left in front of a restaurant along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Poblacion, M’lang.

The vendor told authorities that an unidentified male person left the package just few feet away from a concrete road pavement along the highway minutes before the recovery, who then boarded a vehicle and sped towards an unknown direction.

 “There were at least two people that were seen roaming around the place minutes before the vendor found the package,” said Dillera.

An hour later, elements of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team of the Army arrived at the place and defused the IEDs.

Dillera said the bombs recovered in M’lang town looked like the explosives recovered and defused last January in Kidapawan City.

“We have yet to find out as to who might be behind the planting of these bombs,” said Dillera. 

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Malu Cadelina Manar | Manila Bulletin | March 7, 2013 | Article Link

Police arrest rebel in landmine blast

POLICE filed charges before the City Prosecution Office on Wednesday against a New People's Army (NPA) member involved in a landmine explosion in Paquibato District in Davao City on August 5.

Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, identified the suspect as Mark Jhon Odorios, 19, a resident of Sitio Bajada, Paradise Embac, Paquibato District.

Paniza said the suspect is now facing criminal charges, after he was positively identified by one Melvin Lucanas, resident of the same area who saw Odorios plant the landmine.

Initial investigation of the Paquibato Police Station showed that Lucanas saw Odorios leaving the area after the landmine exploded. Lucanas recovered some debris and turned them over to a Peace and Development Team of the 10th Infantry Division for documentation.

Paniza said the suspect was arrested around 10 a.m. Monday through the help of residents and barangay officials of Sitio Bajada.

"This is an indication that the people in Paquibato and the local government units are now empowered and joining our campaign for peace and development in their area," Paniza said.

The suspect is now detained at the Paquibato police station. 

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 Ivy C. Tejano | SunStar.Com.Ph | August 9, 2012 | Article Link

Suspected rebels ambush 2 cops

Philippines – Two policemen were ambushed by suspected Communists rebels while on their way to secure confiscated logs in Butuan City Monday, according to the CARAGA regional police.

Police Officer 2 Adones Dumaboc died while PO2 Sergio Sergio Salagoste was injured.

Senior Superintendent Mario Soriano, acting CARAGA regional director, said the rebels also took the two M16 rifles of the victims.

Soriano said the two cops were supposed to augment a small group of policemen who confiscated illegally-cut logs at Esperanza Veneer Corporation when they were waylaid at around 10 a.m. in Barangay Bit-os in Butuan City.

“The attackers used landmines as revealed by the recovered explosive materials in the area,“ said Soriano. 

After the blast, the official said the rebels also fired at the policemen who were on board a motorcycle when the incident occurred.

“Our investigators recovered more or less 100 pieces of empty shells from the different caliber of firearms,“ he said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) learlier intensified the antiillegal logging activities in CARAGA region following the onslaught of tropical storm “Ondoy“ last year that left more than 1,000 dead.

The regional director of CARAGA region was relieved last week for failure to stop illegal logging activities as well as eight police commanders in June this year.

Both the police and the military have accused local communist rebels of protecting illegal logging activities in CARAGA and nearby provinces.

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Aaron Recuenco | Tempo.Com.Ph | August 8, 2012 | Article Link

Military convoy hit by roadside bomb in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - A military convoy traversing the Cotabato-Isulan highway was hit by an improvised roadside bomb in the town of Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao, on Wednesday morning, August 8, a military officer said.

Col Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the military’s 6th Infantry Division, said the convoy had 5 M35 trucks, 3 KM 250 trucks and two civilian vehicles and was on its way to Datu Hoffer Municipal Hall from Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan.

 

The improvised bomb hit the convoy at around 6 a.m., hurting one soldier identified as Cpl Joseph Primavera.

On Sunday evening, August 5, rebels attacked Maguindanao towns, triggering renewed firefights between the Army and members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Fighters, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MILF resumed its peace talks with the government last August 7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Karlos Manlupig | Rappler.Com | August 8, 2012 | Article Link

Eight soldiers hurt in Basilan bomb blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY - An improvised bomb planted by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits injured eight Army soldiers in Sumisip, Basilan province on Tuesday night, a military official said Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) based in this city, said the victims were soldiers from the 12th Scout Ranger Company (SRC) and 11th Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC).

Cabangbang said the soldiers were on their way to Barangay Mangal for a security mission when one of their military trucks hit the improvised device, which was laid as a landmine. The incident took place at around 8:27 p.m., he said.

“At least eight of the soldiers were unfortunately wounded in action,” Cabangbang said.

The explosion partially damaged the military vehicle, he said.

Military explosive ordnance and disposal (EOD) personnel were deployed to the blast site to determine the type of bomb that hit the soldiers. 

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Roel Pareno | SunStar.Com.Ph | July 11, 2012 | Article Link

NPA officer nabbed in Surigao Sur / NPA arrested for Landmines

NPA Officer nabbed in Surigao Sur - Army

MANILA, Philippines -- An alleged officer of the New People’s Army was arrested by authorities in Lianga, Surigao del Sur Wednesday, the Army reported belatedly.

A statement released by the 4th Infantry Division said Hermes Domandan, alias Teddy Bagger, alleged team leader of the Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda and political and finance officer of Platoon 8, Guerilla Front 19B, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, was arrested in Barangay Diatago.

He was the subject of a warrant of arrest for rebellion issued by the Executive Judge of Branch 28 Regional Trial Court Lianga Alfredo Jalad.

Seized from Domandan were a hand grenade, three cell phones, a memory card, chargers and P9,760 cash.

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Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com | May 4, 2012 | Article Link

Driver in Compostela Valley yields 'NPA' landmines

MANILA, Philippines - Police and military authorities intercepted and arrested a 35-year-old truck driver caught transporting several improvised landmines in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Oliver Balusan, a resident of Bislig City, was intercepted and apprehended at around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at a checkpoint along the National Highway Townsiye, Barangay Kingking. 

Balusan yielded 12 pieces of improvised landmines (7.5 inches in diameter) and other suspected incendiary devices found in his white Fuso dump truck.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Jerry Borja, Commander of the 71^st Infantry Battalion, said “based on the kind and make of these landmines, there is no doubt that they are owned by the "Organized Crime Group-New People’s Army (OCG-NPA)."

Accordingly, these landmines are bigger than the ones used in Libay-libay, Maco landmine attack.

Borja said a piece of these landmines has a killing radius of 50 meters, if three are combined, anyone within five meters can be killed by its blast alone even without the shrapnel. If all 12 are combined, it can easily collapse a "two-story building.”  

The confiscated items were brought to Pantukan Police Station for proper handling and disposition.

Brig. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, Commander of Philippine Army’s 10^th Infantry Division, said the use of landmines is a violation of international law. 

“The use of landmines is a violation of the provisions of CARHRIHL specifically Part III, Article 2, Paragraph 15. We condemn to the highest degree the NPA’s continued use of these banned landmines,” Bernardo said.

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Abigail Kwok/Jaime Sinapit | InterAksyon.com | May 4, 2012 | Article Link

2 dead, 5 wounded in North Cotabato bus blast - military

DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- (UPDATE 4 - 2:15 p.m.) Two persons were killed and at least five wounded when a bomb exploded on a passenger bus in North Cotabato Wednesday morning, the military said, drastically scaling down its original casualty count.

Lieutenant Colonel Benjie Hao told reporters the death toll was confirmed after soldiers reached the scene of the blast.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, had initially announced 10 fatalities and two wounded.

Galon said the Rural Area Transit bus with the body number 2922 had just reached the terminal in Carmen town around 10:25 a.m. when the improvised explosive device planted in the vehicle’s baggage compartment went off.

All the casualties were passengers on the bus, which was traveling from Tacurong City to Cagayan de Oro.

The Eastmincom identified the fatalities as Analyn Sioco, 33, of Malanduage in Kabacan, and Rona Mae Causing, 18, of Bukidnon.

Four of the wounded were identified as Denia Causin of Bukidnon, Alan Hampiso, 36, of Magpet, his six-year old son, Janel Cosca, 11, from Bukidnon. They were rushed to the Kabacan Medical Specialist hospital.

The Rural Area Transit has been attacked in the past in which authorities believe to be extortion attempts by criminal syndicates.

On October 21, 2010, a powerful bomb ripped through a bus of the firm, which was en route to Tacurong City, killing 10 people and wounding several others.

On March 13 this year, a bomb also exploded in a bus at the public terminal in Tacurong City, wounding one.

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Jefry M. Tupas/Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com/TV5 Davao | April 11, 2012 | Article Link

22 soldiers wounded in Basilan blast

ISABELA, Philippines—A powerful booby trap bomb wounded 22 soldiers, seven of them critically, as they patrolled a former stronghold of Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Basilan Tuesday, the military said.

The soldiers were patrolling the outskirts of a remote camp captured last month from Abu Sayyaf extremists when the device went off, local army commander Colonel Ricardo Visaya told Agence France-Presse.

The Abu Sayyaf had formerly used the camp on the southern island of Basilan, to hide many of their kidnap victims until a large military assault dislodged the rebels in March, Visaya said.

“The camp had a lot of improvised explosive devices planted around it… to strengthen (the extremists’) defensive position. They are very difficult to detect,” he said.

Visaya described the device as an old booby trap left behind by the Abu Sayyaf before they abandoned the camp and was set off when soldiers tripped on it.

Helicopters were deployed to airlift the wounded to a military hospital, Visaya said.

The heavily-forested island of Basilan is a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a group founded with seed money from Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the 1990s.

The group has been blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history and has frequently resorted to kidnapping to raise funds, often targeting foreigners.

Seven foreigners — a Dutchman, a Swiss national, an Australian, two Malaysian traders, an Indian and a Japanese man — are believed to still be held by the Abu Sayyaf and other outlawed groups in the south.

US troops have been based in the southern Philippines for a decade to help train local soldiers in hunting the Abu Sayyaf.

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Agence France-Presse | April 10, 2012 | Article Link

Rebels attack convoy in Cotabato

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected leftist rebels detonated two improvised bombs along a road in a southern Philippine city early today, barely missing a passing convoy of military and civilian vehicles, a military official said.

No one was hurt following the 6:25 a.m. blasts at San Mateo village, Kidapawan city, in Mindanao's North Cotabato province, " but several civilian commuters have been traumatized," according to Colonel Leopoldo Galon, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson.

The loud explosions rocked the village as a military truck carrying soldiers of the army's 57th Infantry Battalion, a mini- jeepney and two motorcycles full of civilians were passing by, said Galon.

"Everyone escaped the blasts but the civilian commuters were terrified," the military official told Xinhua by text message, adding the incident happened near a populated area just several kilometers from the city proper.

Galon suspected New People's Army rebels could be behind the latest attack as it happened just days after a series of clashes between government troops and the leftist rebels in the province that left six people dead.

He said the provincial army commander Colonel Cesar Sedillo was readying the filing of criminal charges against the NPA for allegedly employing landmines, long banned by the Ottawa Treaty which both the Philippine government and the insurgents' political umbrella Communist Party of the Philippines were signatories.

The 4,000-strong NPA is fighting a leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since March 29, 1969.

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The Philippine Star | April 1, 2012 | Article Link

3 soldiers, 2 civilians wounded in Iloilo clash

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—At least three soldiers and two civilians were wounded when suspected New People’s Army rebels ambushed two military vehicles in a remote village in Tubungan, Iloilo Monday morning, three days before the NPA’s 43rd founding anniversary.

The suspected rebels, believed to be under the NPA’s Napoleon Tumagtang Command and the Southern Front Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, fled to hinterland villages after a firefight in Barangay Ingay in Tubungan, 42 km south of Iloilo City, according to Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).

Around 18 soldiers belonging to the Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion based in Miag-ao town in Iloilo were on board a 6-by-6 truck and a KM450 military vehicle when one of the trucks was hit by an explosion believed to be from an improvised explosive around 8 a.m. The suspected rebels subsequently opened fire on the soldiers.

A driver of a jeepney that was passing in the area and an elderly woman in a house near the ambush site suffered minor wounds after they were caught in the crossfire.

The identities of the wounded soldiers and civilians were still unavailable.

Two military helicopters and troops of the 3ID were sent to Tubungan and neighboring areas to pursue the suspected rebels.

Ileto said the vehicles were on their way to the town proper to bring trainees of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to Iloilo City.

The NPA, the CPP’s armed wing, will commemorate its 43rd founding anniversary on March 29.

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Nestor P. Burgos Jr. | Inquirer Visayas | March 26, 2012 | Article Link

5 soldiers hurt in Surigao Norte landmine blast

MANILA, Philippines -- Five soldiers were wounded in a landmine explosion in Maninit, Surigao del Norte Wednesday night, a military spokesman said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said troops from the 30th Infantry Batallion were on board three military trucks when a landmine exploded along the road in Sitio Mat-e, Barangay Matinao shortly before 9:30 p.m.

Around 15 New People's Army then ambushed the soldiers leading to a 20-minute firefight.

The five wounded soldiers sustained minor wounds from shrapnel and were evacuated to the Caraga Hospital in Surigao City after the incident. Their names have been withheld. 
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Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com | March 22, 2012 | Article Link

6-year-old killed, younger sister hurt Capiz bomb blast

A SIX-year-old child was killed and her five-year-old younger sister was wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Barangay Tacayan, Tapaz, Capiz last Sunday afternoon around 4:30 p.m.

Captain Reylan Java, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, identified the victim as Rodelyn Aguirre who died on the spot while wounded is her 5-year-old sister Roda.

Based on the initial report, the explosion was caused by the lapses in the process of assembling of the IED by the members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

At least two unidentified members of the NPA were also seriously wounded during the explosion as revealed by the civilian witnesses.

Java added the IED is to be used by the rebels for their terrorist activities in Capiz and other parts of Panay.

Last February 20, 2012, the NPA members used IED to bomb the La Casa Transloading Station of Sugarcane Central in Barangay Mianay, Sigma, Capiz for failure to give in to their demand of extortion money.

On August 2011, the NPA members also laid IED when they ambushed the army personnel belonging to the 61st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Switch, Tapaz, Capiz.

They also set up two IEDs near the Igcabugao Elementary School in Igbaras, Iloilo sometime March of 2010 but were recovered by army personnel conducting peace and development works.

Based on the military record, a total of seven IEDs were recovered by the 82nd Infantry Battalion in various NPA encampments in Igbaras and Miagao, both in Iloilo province, on 2009.

Major General Jose Mabanta, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz, extended his deepest sympathy to the victims of the incident.

“We appeal to the leadership of the NPA to spare our children from harm and stay away from the communities that choose to live in peace,” said MGen Mabanta.

“The four decades of armed struggle have only brought senseless deaths and miseries to the lives of innocent civilians,” Mabanta added.

He also said social problems in our country can easily be solved in an environment of peace rather than through armed struggle.

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TE | SunStar.Com.Ph | March 12,2012 | Article Link

Bomb explodes near Cafgu detachment

DATU UNSAY, Maguindanao -- Another improvised explosive device (IED) blew up near the detachment of a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in sitio Kiamco, Barangay Maitumaig on Sunday afternoon.

According to Army's 6th Infantry Division Public Affairs chief Colonel Prudencio Asto, the bomb that was made from an 81mm mortar shell and planted near the road exploded around 4:20 p.m.

No one died or injured in the explosion.

Responding police and military, including the 66th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, found fragments of an 81mm mortar shell in the crime scene.

Asto believes that the bomb was intended to hurt a military convoy or local officials in Maguindanao.

Immediately before the explosion, residents saw men onboard a motorcycle stop near the area where the explosion occurred.

Authorities are still conducting investigations on the incident.

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Edgardo Fuerzas | SunStar.Com.Ph | March 12,2012 | Article Link

Police, Army units recover explosive devices in Sultan Kudarat

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, March 11 (PNA) - Alert police and military authorities prevented what could have been another bombing incident in Region 12 with the recovery of two high-powered explosive devices in Sultan Kudarat on Saturday, the military here reported Sunday.


Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, chief of the military's 6th Infantry Division, said joint elements of the Joint Task Force Kutawato (JTFK), led by Director Felicisimu Khu, chief of Directorate Integrated Police Operations, recovered one 90-mm ammunition and one 60-mm mortar wrapped in a sack and left along the provincial road in Barangay Midtapok, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat province.


The recovered items are now in the custody of the JTFK for proper disposition.


Ardo also received reports from the Army's 1st Mechanized Brigade that an improvised explosive device exploded in Hill Detachment, Sitio Kyamko, Barangay Maitumaig, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao at about 4 p.m. Saturday.


Ardo directed the 45th Infantry Battalion to conduct an investigation.
Nobody was hurt in the blast since it was planted and set off in an unpopulated area in Datu Unsay.


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NYP/EOF | Philippine News Agency | March 11,2012 | Article Link 

Soldiers seize rebels' explosive factory

THE Army’s 8th Infantry Division in Catbalogan City seized an explosive factory of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Paranas, Samar on March 5.

Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo Diaz Jr., spokesperson of the 8th ID, said while Army troopers were performing community work in the upland villages of Paranas town, some residents informed them of the existing explosive production facility located between Barangays Sto. Niño and Pagsanjan.

“The NPA manning the camp were caught off-guard when the government soldiers arrived and prompted them to engage in a brief firefight as they escaped,” Diaz said.

In the course of the firefight, Sergeant Freddie Gusoso was hit on his thigh and was immediately brought to Remedios T. Romualdez Hospital in Tacloban City for medical treatment.

No casualties were reported from the NPA side.

Diaz said the soldiers eventually overran the camp and seized 44 pieces of improvised landmines, one unit of machine for landmine production, 20 pieces blasting caps with detonating cords, assorted explosive production paraphernalia, one B40 type rocket launcher, one improvised round for B40 type rocket launcher and an M16 rifle.

“The 8th ID is now conducting an investigation based on the recovered pieces of evidence from the site with the help of the local police. With the volume and quality of explosives recovered and the geographic location of Samar Island, it is believed that the seized explosive factory has produced landmines for NPA in the Bicol Region and Northern Mindanao,” Diaz said.

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Leyte Samar Daily Express | SunStar.Com.Ph | Thursday, March 8, 2012 | Article Link

Abu Sayyaf behind Sulu bombing

Death toll in Sulu bomb explosion rises to 4

Philstar.com | March 04, 2012 12:00 PM | Article link 

COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - The death toll in the bomb explosion blamed on militants on Saturday night in a commercial area in the southern Philippine province of Sulu rose to four, authorities said today.

Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command, said two more wounded had died at the hospital after an improvised explosive device blast along Serantes Street in Jolo town at around 6:55 p.m. Saturday, which killed two people instantly.

Besides the four casualties, there are six others injured in the terror attack. "We have four fatalities, only two died soon after the explosion," he said.

Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, said investigation by the police indicated that the bomb was planted at the generator of the store in the area.

No one group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but government security forces said they are looking into possible involvement of the Abu Sayyaf terror group.

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Police suspect Abu Sayyaf in Jolo bombing

Agence France Presse, AbsCbnNews.com | 03/04/2012 12:34 PM | Article link 

ZAMBOANGA - Islamic extremists with links to the Al-Qaeda network are suspected of carrying out a deadly bomb attack that left two dead and 13 wounded in the southernPhilippines, police said Sunday.

The Abu Sayyaf group likely planted the bomb that exploded in a commercial district of the southern island of Jolo late Saturday, said provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra.

A street vendor and a schoolteacher were killed and 13 others were wounded when the home-made bomb exploded in Jolo, which has been a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf for over a decade, police said.

"Our initial report is that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the bombing. It is possible that this was in retaliation for the killing by the police of an Abu Sayyaf member last week," Freyra said.

The bomb went off in the same commercial area where the Abu Sayyaf member was shot dead when police caught him extorting money from shop-owners, Freyra said.

Security has been tightened on the heavily-forested island to prevent future attacks from the group, which has long used kidnappings for ransom and extortion to raise funds, Freyra said.

The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants founded in the 1990s with seed money from Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

It has been blamed for the worst extremist attacks in Philippine history including a ferry bombing in Manila in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.

Despite the arrest and killing of many of its key leaders, the group remains an enduring security threat with about 300 fighters still active, authorities have warned.

Woman hurt in Cotabato City blast

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—A 27-year old woman was slightly injured when an improvised bomb went off near the Cotabato Barter Trade Center, just outside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao regional government compound, here around at 7:30 p.m.

Superintendent Danny Reyes, city police chief, said the remotely-detonated improvised explosive device was fashioned out from a mortar shell but its exact make was still being determined.

He said it was fortunate that the bomb exploded when there was less activity in the area.

The Barter Trade Center is also near the Central Mindanao office of the Government Service Insurance System.

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By Edwin Fernandez
Inquirer Mindanao

8:32 pm | Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Article Link

NPA leader arrested in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines - A ranking New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, facing various charges in court, was arrested in Bay, Laguna on Tuesday afternoon.

Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, said Annebelle Bueno, alias Ka Girlie, Fara and Lara, who was cornered in Barangay Maitim, Bay town, is the head of the regional organizational department of the NPA’s Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

During her arrest, Bueno yielded several subversive documents, 14 sticks of explosives, four blasting caps, and assorted medicine.

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Non Alquitran, Ed Amoroso

The Philippine Star

February 10, 2012 12:00 AM

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Bomb components recovery prevented bombing

The recovery of bomb-making materials on Wednesday has prevented the possible loss of lives and destruction of properties in Zamboanga City, military officials said.

Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Major General Noel Coballes said Thursday that the materials once assembled into bombs could cause big destruction as well as kill or inflict injuries.

The recovered bomb-making materials include blasting caps; ammonium nitrate placed in a 1.5 liter container; electronic tester, nine-volt batteries; printed circuit boards; mini-drill; transistors; capacitors; light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs; soldering iron; soldering lead; diodes; and wires.

Task Force Zamboanga commander Colonel Buenaventura Pascual said it is possible that the Pingli Akilan group was the ones responsible in the bombing on October of last year in the village of Sangali, 25.3 kilometers east of the city.

The explosion that took place outside an eatery killed a construction worker and injured eight others.

This as the findings of the explosive ordnance demolition (EOD) of the local police showed that the bomb components used in the Sangali bombing are similar to the ones recovered Thursday in Landang Laum village, Sacol Island, according to Pascual.

The bomb-making materials were recovered when the four members of the Pingli Akilan group fled and abandoned their “jungkung-type” motorized banca following a brief firefight with government forces.

The bomb components were concealed in a tool box the troops found aboard the motorized banca.

The military and police forces were alerted and ordered to undertake proactive measures to prevent lawless elements from carrying out bomb attacks.

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Bong Garcia

Thursday, February 9, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

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