By Perfecto T. Raymundo
Exchange of views among top security officials: Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (2nd from right) exchanges views with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon (left); Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya (right); and Philippine Army Commanding General Eduardo Año (back to camera) after the presentation of three arrested suspects in the Sept. 2 Davao City bombing at the AFP General Headquarters Conference Room, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday (Oct. 7, 2016). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA (PNA) — Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) have arrested a suspected terrorist who has links with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.
In a press conference on Monday, PNP-CIDG Director Chief Supt. Roel Obusan identified the arrested terrorist as Mohammad Amin alias Aklam Amin.
Obusan said that Amin was arrested last Saturday based on the warrant of arrest and search warrant issued by the court.
The PNP-CIDG chief believes that they have thwarted the possibility of executing the bombing plan of the ASG in Metro Manila.
Amin is an Indonesian bomb expert who is suspected to have links with the ASG.
Authorities recovered from the suspect a grenade, ammunitions, several identification (ID) cards and a cellular phone.
Cables, wires and electronic gadgets were also seized from the rented room of Amin.
PNP-CIDG’S Anti-Transnational Crimes Unit (ATCU) head Chief Insp. Roque Merdegia said that they were worried most by the blueprint of a condomall in Quezon City which they also seized in Amin’s possession.
Merdegia added that it was not a joke that Amin, who is neither an architect nor an engineer, but rather, an expert in bomb-making, has in his possession the blueprint or master plan of a structure.
He noted that Amin could have been studying every nook and corner of the establishment in the plan of planting a bomb.
Authorities also arrested the companion of Amin, identified as Adnan Malangkis alias “Abdul”, a native of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, and Bilal Taalam, the owner of the rented room.
Amin and Malangkis were charged with illegal possession of explosives and ammunition while Taalam was charged with harboring of fugitive and wanted person.
Amin is included in the list of most wanted person issued by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), who has a PHP600,000 reward for his head for the case of kidnapping with frustrated murder now pending before the Jolo, Sulu Regional Trial Court (RTC).