ZAMBOANGA City– Police arrested two suspected Abu Sayyaf members and foiled a bombing attempt to disrupt the 2016 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival here on Friday.
The two suspects, one of whom was allegedly involved in the Sipadan kidnapping 16 years ago, were caught in possession of one-pound trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosive and other bomb-making components.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Billy Beltran identified the two as 64-year old Abdullatip Talanghati a.k.a. Latip Sihata and Tatang, and his son, Albashrie a.k.a. Abu Tarik and Tagalog, both residents of Barangay Luuk, Banguingui in Sulu.
Beltran said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division at aound 9:30 pm Friday as they served an arrest warrant in Barangay Sta. Barbara, this city.
Beltran said the father and son Talanghati have standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Pasig City.
Beltran said the elder Talanghati carries a P5.3-million reward for his arrest for his involvement in the kidnapping of 21 people–10 Europeans, nine Malaysians and two Filipinos–on April 23, 2000 in the Sipadan Diving Resort in Malaysia.
The hostages were herded to the deep forest of Sulu and were released in batches several months later in the same year.
Beltran said the arresting team seized from the possession of the suspects a one-pound TNT high explosive, detonating cord and time fuse.
He disclosed that they have obtained vital information that the suspects were planning to disrupt the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival celebration before their arrest.
The highlight of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, which started Oct. 1, is the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar, the most revered saint of this city, on Oct. 12.
The arrest of the suspects came four days after local police operatives arrested three suspected Abu Sayyaf men near a pension house in this city.
The suspects were caught in possession of a time fuse, two detonating cord, two blasting caps, three fragmentation grenades, a .45-caliber pistol with three magazines of ammunition, two motorcycles, and cellular phone batteries.
Meanwhile, Beltran commended the officers and personnel for a job well done since their utmost efforts resulted in the arrest of the two ASG brigands on Friday evening. (pna)
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