Primary suspect in 2018 twin bombings in S. Kudarat yields

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 21, 2021): Primary suspect in 2018 twin bombings in S. Kudarat yields (By Noel Punzalan)

VOLUNTARY SURRENDER. The mug shot of Norton Saptula, the principal suspect in the 2018 twin bombings in Isulan town of Sultan Kudarat province who voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Wednesday (April 21, 2021). The suspect is implicated in the Aug. 28, 2018 and Sept. 2, 2018 bombings that killed three persons and wounded 36 others. (Photo courtesy of Ampatuan MPS)

The principal suspect in the 2018 twin bombings in Sultan Kudarat province yielded to authorities Wednesday through the intervention of the local government of Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the suspect as Norton S. Saptula alias Jihad who voluntarily surrendered to authorities from his hideout in Barangay Poblacion, Ampatuan town.

“He yielded with no resistance,” Ugale said in a report.

He said authorities were set to serve a warrant of arrest by the Regional Trial Court 12th Judicial Region Branch 19 for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges on the suspect at 10 a.m. when town officials led by Ampatuan Mayor Bai Leah G. Sangki intervened and convinced the latter to surrender peacefully.

Saptula is listed as the top wanted person in Ampatuan town and is also among the top five most wanted individuals in the region by the Police Regional Office-12.

The suspect is linked to the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan faction operating in the peripheries of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137566