Military on alert to thwart rescue attempt of BIFF bomber

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 26): Military on alert to thwart rescue attempt of BIFF bomber

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato -- Authorities here implemented Tuesday full- alert status to secure the detained high-ranking official of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) arrested by joint military and police operatives on Sunday.

Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, commander of 6th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, said intelligence reports showed the outlawed group was out to rescue Muslimin Ladtugan alias Commander “Mus,” a bomb expert of BIFF operating in Central Mindanao.

Supt. Gilbert Tuzon, chief of Midsayap police, said police here have been augmented by police force from provincial office to prevent any attempt to bring the suspect out of detention while waiting for court order where to commit the suspect.

Ladtugan was nabbed in the Army’s 34th IB and Midsayap PNP’s joint law enforcement operation in his residence in Barangay Nabalawag.

The raiding team recovered M14 rifle, two .45 pistol, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), several ammunition and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)

Besana said the group of Ladtugan was planning to execute attacks in Maguindanao and North Cotabato to avenge the death of their comrades due to intense operations of military’s Task Force Central and Moro Islamic Liberations Front (MILF’s) Task Force Ittihad (Unity).

Local residents helped the police and military in locating the suspect Monday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1010817