2 Abu 'bombers' arrested in Taguig

A father and son, believed to be members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, were caught with “fully equipped” explosives in Taguig yesterday.

Joints elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Counter-Terrorism Action Group arrested Sala Kasan Bairaulla and his son, Albasher.

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, spokesman of the Anti-Terrorism Council, said the Bairaullas were nabbed early morning as authorities swooped down on a suspected Abu Sayyaf “safehouse.”

He said raiders recovered from the Bairullas a “complete” improvised explosive device, a .38 caliber pistol, ammunition, and a hand grenade.

“We can only assume (the bombs) will be used in Metro Manila… the bomb is considered as a high explosive and may cause severe damage to lives and properties when detonated,” Blancaflor said.

The operation was headed and supervised by national security officials led by Arturo Lomibao, who heads the National Counter-Terrorism Action Group.

Authorities said the suspects were taken into custody by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and were subjected to inquest proceedings.

The arrest took place days after the PNP issued a directive warning its units in Metro Manila to closely monitor and take appropriate action on reported terrorist plans to bomb malls, hotels, and other public places.

The STAR reported that the directive, issued on Nov. 1, named three malls and four hotels as targets of the bomb plot by “extremists associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Jemaah Islamiyah.”

The report, which was distributed to five police districts in Metro Manila, stated “the plan (is) reportedly scheduled (for) early or mid-November.”