Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Bomb-carrying man killed

From the Mindanao Times (May 3): Bomb-carrying man killed

DCPO: seized explosive same as EID used in Roxas blast
A SUSPECTED terrorist, said to have transported components of improvised explosive device (IED) into the city, was killed in a shootout with authorities around 3 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Magtuod, Talomo District.

Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, told TIMES that the IED component recovered from the still unidentified perpetrator was similar to the explosive used in the Roxas Night Market bombing incident that killed 15 and injured 69 others last Sept. 2.

Recovered at the crime scene were one live 60mm mortar shell, detonation cord, two pieces blasting caps, a hand grenade, a .38 pistol with three live rounds and two spent cartridges.
 
Tagum said they could not yet establish the identity of the man or his association to any group. But they are not discounting the possibility that the slain man could either be a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group or Maute Group.

The Maute Group was behind the Roxas Night Market while the ASG has been tagged in several bombing incidents in the country. Recently, a suspected ASG members and Police Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, the deputy chief of the Crime Laboratory in Davao region, were arrested in Bohol.

Prior to yesterday’s encounter, Tagum said they were alerted on the presence of armed men in the vicinity of Bangkal, Barangay Talomo Proper, Talomo District on Monday night.

Tagum said they received intelligence report that around 6:20 p.m. on Monday, a group of suspicious-looking men boarding a grey Toyota Hilux pick-up with a temporary plate number and a black Honda XRM motorcycle were seen in Bangkal.

A team, composed of members from the DCPO Intelligence Branch and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), was immediately sent to track down the group in Talomo area.

Police spotted a riding-in-tandem and immediately followed them.

When the police operatives flagged down the motorcycle in Magtuod, the back rider disembarked.

However, the man suddenly pulled a gun and fired toward the operatives. This prompted the agents to fire back.

A team from the Regional Crime Laboratory XI, processing the crime scene, declared the suspect dead.

The suspect reportedly sustained multiple gunshot wounds. However, the details on the wounds he sustained were not immediately released.

The responding Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and the K9 teams inspected the backpack found to have been carried by the slain suspect. They recovered the IED components.

The cadaver of the unidentified man was brought to the Angel Funeral Parlor.

Tagum said they are still conducting further validation and intelligence build- up to know the other companions of the slain suspect.

“We continue our focus on these terrorist and criminal acts,” Tagum told reporters during the oath-taking ceremony of community volunteers at the Davao City Recreation Center yesterday (see separate story).

Tagum said the presence of the IED components recovered from the suspect “obviously” shows the terrorists have a plan.

Sr. Insp. Artemio Pabuhot Jr., the platoon leader of the DCPO’s EOD and SWAT team, said the recovered IED has the capacity to explode within a 300-meter range.

Pabuhot said it could be exploded using cellphone detonated or manual device.
 
Tagum said he will propose a stricter and stronger counter measure against terrorist and criminals in the city during the emergency conference.

He also said the heightened alert status in the city remain the effect.

Tagum also encouraged residents to report to the police if they noted suspicious-looking individuals in their community.
 

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