Bandits tagged in Lamitan car bomb attack surrender

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group tagged in a car bombing incident in Lamitan City in Basilan surrendered to authorities on Friday. 

Suwaib Mungkay, alias Black, and Nakib Asmad, alias Halifa, surrendered to Mayor Ibrahim Ballaho of Hadji Mohammad Ajul town shortly before noon.

The surrender was witnessed by Capt. James Dipdip Jr., chief of the Army’s 19th Special Forces Company, according to Brig. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, commander of the Army’s  101st Brigade and Joint Task Force Basilan.

Mungkay and Asmad also surrendered their firearms and ammunition.

Reports said the suspects were responsible for the car bomb attack in Lamitan on July 31, 2018. Ten persons were killed and several others were injured in the incident.

The bomb was placed in a vehicle driven by a suicide bomber, who was later identified as a Moroccan.

The vehicle was pulled over at a checkpoint manned by government security forces, prompting the suspect to detonate the explosives.

The bomb was reportedly intended for schoolchildren who attended an event in the area.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the local government for supporting the military’s security efforts.

Sobejana said the cooperation between the local government and the military could drive the bandits out Basilan.

“By working together, we can attain sustainable development in Basilan and in the region,” Sobejana said.