ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/20 December)–Government troops have arrested last Wednesday four suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits transporting explosives and bomb-making materials in the province of Sulu, officials said Saturday.
Ensign Ian Chester Ramos, Joint Task Force Zambasulta information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Jumli Pulah, Hassan Jubakal, Ingki Abdulah and Bashir Alih.
Ramos said Pula has an existing warrant of arrest issued by a Court in Jolo, Sulu.
He said they were arrested at around 9 p.m. Wednesday by the Joint Task Group Sulu while conducting a checkpoint at Sitio Nangka in Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul, Sulu.
He said the four were traveling aboard a pick-up type vehicle without a registered plate number coming from Jolo bound for Barangay Danag, Patikul when the troops intercepted them.
Ramos said the troops confiscated from the possession of the suspects two 20-liter container full of ammonium nitrate, three hand grenades, a bottle of trinitrotoluene (TNT), two blasting caps, nylon cord, batteries and wires.
He said a case for illegal possession of explosives and bomb-making materials were filed Friday against the suspects before the Sulu provincial prosecutor’s office.
Col. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the pick-up type vehicle is being used by the Abu Sayyaf bandits to transport kidnap victims, ammunition and equipment.
