Police capture man with bomb in Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines – Police authorities accosted and arrested 42-year-old Abdul Malang Abas who turned out to be carrying an improvised explosive device (IED) while on a motor vehicle in front of a hotel.

Abas, along with his female companion, was searched by a policeman, after he noticed the two “acting suspiciously.” 

The woman ran away as the policeman approached, and the police are now trying to locate her whereabouts.

The bomb was found inside a box filled with a local fruit that Abas was carrying.

“Nakuha yung bomba sa box, may kahalong mga durian. Hindi nakalagay sa loob ng durian yung bomba. Nakahalo lang,” said Bulao.  

(The bomb was seized in a box with durian fruits. The bomb was not inside a fruit. It was just placed in the box together with the fruits.)

The bomb was seized in Midsayap, North Cotabato at about 11:30 am on Saturday, October 5, according to a military officer.

Capt Antonio Bulao, civil-military operations officer of the Army 602nd Brigade, said that the IED is set up with a mobile phone as triggering device.

The bomb was supposed to be transported to Cotabato City. It was likely, he said, since it was to be brought to Weena.

Weena is a local bus line in the province. The Hill Park Inn & Restaurant, the hotel where Abas was in front of, is near the Weena bus station. – Rappler.com