Authorities urged to investigate MILF rescue of jailed bomber

COTABATO CITY — Local authorities urged yesterday the joint ceasefire committee to investigate the alleged involvement of secessionist rebels in the daring rescue of a foreign-trained bomber in a well-guarded penitentiary here.

The local police said the detained bomber, Badrudin Dalungan, was spirited away from the Maguindanao provincial jail here by his companions, identified with the Special Operations Group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The provincial jail is just meters away from the Cotabato City Police Office, long been subject of criticisms for the lackluster performance of its members in maintaining peace and order in the 37 barangays here.

Three men, clad in Army uniforms and armed with assault rifles, casually entered the premises of the provincial jail here, fired warning shots to trigger a commotion, rescued Dalungan from the facility and spirited him away using a getaway vehicle parked nearby.

Sources from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Dalungan, who has trained abroad in handling of explosives, is a member of the MILF.

Dalungan was detained in connection with his alleged involvement in the February 2003 bombing of the Cotabato airport, caused injuries to more than a dozen people and triggered a fire that razed 13 establishments in its surroundings.

Eid Kabalu, MILF spokesman, denied any involvement in the daring rescue from the Maguindanao jail of Dalungan. — John Unson