Police confirm bomb threats

From the Zamboanga Today (Dec 6): Police confirm bomb threats

Police received bomb threats from an unidentified group to stage bombing in Zamboanga City this December, officer in-charge (OIC) of Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Sr. Supt. James Mejia confirmed on Monday. Mejia revealed to local media here that based on the information he received there was no specific group or target area where the group will carry out their plan. However, the local police chief said that there was a report over the weekend and oftentimes they received intelligence report on the threat of bombing but usually such information will always be withheld for publication. “Last December 2, we have received intelligence information on the threat,” said Mejia.

Last Monday, the operatives of Regional Public Safety Battalion 9 (RPSB9) collared two alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and a local barangay official in possession of explosive materials in separate operation in Pablo Lorenzo Street and police checkpoint in Mercedes. Mejia said that the explosive materials confiscated from the possession of Busay Barangay Chairman Ahmad Yusop y Kandun, 51, his nephew, Nur Kandun Nashali, of legal age, both of Busay, Sacol Island onboard the government vehicle with plate number SKK 857 still undetermined of the purpose.

The RPSB9, Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) recovered 50 pieces of improvised blasting caps, 11.5 inches commercial time fuse and 25 kilograms of explosive grade Ferrous Frill Ammonium Nitrate. “I just don’t know what was the purpose of acquiring the explosive,” Mejia said, “and if his reason was for blast fishing... as an official, he must know the laws.” Mejia disclosed that they are still determining the purpose of the explosives if there’s any connection with the prevailing threat.

Information showed that the police collard a certain Sulaiman Cuadra along P. Lorenzo Street prior to the arrest of Yusop and his nephew. The suspects were brought to the local police office for detention while a case of illegal possession of explosive materials was forwarded at the city prosecutor’s office against them.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/12545-police-confirm-bomb-threats.html