2 bombing suspects slain; 2 grenades found in mall

SOLDIERS and police officers yesterday shot and killed two suspected bombers believed to be out on a “mission” in M’lang, North Cotabato.

This came just two days after authorities secured the Gaisano Grand mall in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, where two grenades were found by a guard.

Incidentally, Kidapawan is set to celebrate Timpupo Festival from  Aug. 10 to Aug. 19.

Authorities identified the suspects as Patrick Ali Saligan, 30, of Buluan, Maguindanao, and Nholds Saibo Ali, 29, of Datu Paglas, also in Maguindanao.

But M’lang Vice Mayor Lito Piñol said authorities were still validating the names in the slain suspects’ identification documents.

The suspects were killed after a team of officers and soldiers from the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion flagged down three men who were riding a notorcycle at a checkpoint in Barangay Sangat, M’lang town, at around 3 am.

North Cotabato police spokesperson Supt. Bernard Tayong said the motorcycle sped off as the suspects tried to get past the checkpoint. This, he said, prompted government forces to chase the suspects who then fought back.

“The one driving the motorcycle managed to escape,” Tayong said.

It took over an hour for authorities to go near the slain suspects because they had with them a black sling bag. It contained a crude bomb.

Tayong said the bomb, which lacked a triggering mechanism, would have been used in an attack.

On Monday night, a guard stumbled on a paper bag that contained a rifle grenade and a fragmentation grenade near a facility of Gaisano mall in Kidapawan.

Supt. Ramel Hojilla, Kidapawan director, said the grenades were covered with white cloth at around 7:28 pm by guard Alwente Tabosares, a retired Army soldier.

Hojilla said these were left at the back near the establishment’s stockroom where there was no circuit television security camera.

Hojilla said investigators were looking into a “conflict” among the mall’s security group. (PNA and Malu Cadelina Manar, Mindanews)