PNP: Third suspect in foiled bombing near US embassy arrested

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7): PNP: Third suspect in foiled bombing near US embassy arrested

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday presented to media the third suspect in the attempted bombing near the United States Embassy last Nov. 28.

In a press conference in Camp Crame, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde identified the suspect as Mohammad Jumao-as alias “Modie”, an X-ray technician and resident of Sta. Ana, Bulacan.

Albayalde said that Jumao-as’ arrest came after surveillance videos retrieved by the Manila Police District (MPD) showed that he was with Jiaher Guinar and Rayson Kilala alias “Rashid”.

Guinar and Kilala were arrested Wednesday last week for their alleged involvement in the foiled bombing attempt last Nov. 28.

Jumao-as, together with the two previously arrested suspects, were seen wandering in several areas in Luneta Park, Manila and the US Embassy hours before a street sweeper discovered the improvised explosive device (IED) in the early morning of Nov. 28, 2016.

Albayalde said that during Jumao-as’ arrest in Bulacan last Dec. 3, found in his possession were a 1911 Colt .45 caliber pistol and a fragmentation hand grenade, which were placed inside his black shoulder bag.

Jumao-as was charged with violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act”, before the Bulacan provincial prosecutor’s office in Malolos City.

A follow-up probe of the MPD showed that Jumao-as is also a member of the Al-Khalifa in the Philippines (AKP), a group reported to have ties with the Abu Sayyaf Group/Maute/Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=946363