Civilians' support leads to arrest of North Cotabato grenade thrower

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): Civilians' support leads to arrest of North Cotabato grenade thrower

Public support to local police authorities was proven effective here after police nabbed a man suspected of throwing hand grenades at a roadside department store over the weekend.

Superintendent Jordine Maribojo, chief of the Kabacan municipal police, said the arrest of the suspect identified as 23-year-old Abdulhamad Gulam Hamid was made possible with "people's participation."

Maribojo said Hamid who hails from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, was arrested by police after several civilians tipped off his location shortly after he tossed a hand grenade in front of COSTAR RTW store along USM Avenue here.

"I would like to commend the people for their support, it led us to arrest the suspect," he said.

He said Hamid was seen by civilians driving a tricycle and tossed the grenade then sped away at past 9 p.m.

But civilians helped the police in tracking him down.

When arrested, Hamid yielded another hand grenade hidden in his motorcycle.

According to Maribojo, Hamid may have planned to dispose the grenades at a nearby village celebrating its foundation day with nightly activities.

"But due to the presence of police and village watchmen, he changed his plan and tossed the grenade at a roadside," he said. Nobody was hurt in the blast.

Maribojo urged the civilians to continue supporting the police in the campaign against criminality to ensure public safety.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640544