3rd US embassy bombing suspect charged

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday charged the third suspect in the foiled bombing near the US embassy in Manila last Nov. 28.

Mohammad Jumao-as, alias Modie, was charged with violation of the comprehensive firearms and ammunitions act and illegal possession of explosives at the Bulacan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Malolos City around 3:30 p.m.

Jumao-as was nabbed by elements of the MPD-special operations unit around 2 p.m. at his house in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan last Saturday, according to a source.

The source told The STAR that the MPD operatives were assisted by military intelligence agents.

“PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa is set to present the suspect to the media within the week,” he said.

The source emphasized that the authorities “are keeping the case under wraps because there are still other suspects at large.”

Last Friday, MPD director Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel admitted that a team from the MPD Special Operations Unit went to Naic, Cavite to track down three other suspects involved in the botched US embassy bombing.

Coronel also allayed fears that there are terrorist cells in Manila and that some “sleepers are being activated.”

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa refused to confirm the arrest of a third suspect in the foiled bombing.

Dela Rosa told a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City that there are still ongoing operations and he would check developments regarding at least five other suspects, three of whom remain at large.

Earlier, police arrested Rashid Kilala of Bulacan and Jiaher Guinar, who allegedly planted the explosives near the US embassy along Roxas Boulevard.

Dela Rosa said Metro Manila remains on the highest security alert while the country is at Level 3 terror alert nationwide.

He said the public should expect to see more checkpoints and raids on suspected lairs of terror groups in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

“I have already given my RDs (regional directors) the go-signal to conduct strong, random and mobile checkpoints across the country,” said Dela Rosa.

He appealed to the public not to panic but to remain vigilant.

He reiterated the terror alert as he confirmed the connection of Guinar with Kilala, a Moslem convert and Imam in Bulacan.

The PNP chief said the bomb plot was also meant to divert the attention of the public and government away from the ongoing military operations against the Maute terror gang in Lanao del Sur after the bandits were linked to the recent bombing in the Davao City night market that killed 15 people and injured more than 70 others.

The Maute is an armed Islamist group with some of its leaders reported to be former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group is founded by Abdullah Maute whose base is in Lanao del Sur.