GOVERNMENT forces arrested on Tuesday a
bomber from the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf who attempted to
detonate a bomb at the Sulu airport last Saturday, the military
reported yesterday.
Col. Eugenio Clemen, commander of the 3rd
Marine Brigade, said the suspect, Almid Jundam, was nabbed at
Barangay Walled City in Jolo Tuesday morning while about to
withdraw money.
Clemen said the troops from the 4th Marine
Battalion Landing Team under Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan
apprehended the suspect with the help of information volunteered
by civilians. The soldiers recovered from Jundam a bag
containing a wig and a camouflage uniform.
Jundam is responsible for the setting up of
an improvised explosive device at the Sulu’s airport in Jolo
last Nov. 15. The plan was aborted after the bomb was found and
subsequently disarmed by Explosives and Ordnance Disposal
personnel.
Jundman has also confessed to the bombing at
the Zamboanga City cathedral last year. No one was killed or
injured in the attack.
He is also being blamed for the murder of
Khomieni Sawadjaan, 23, and Ubay Damsik, 60, last October at the
village of Alat in Indanan town. He was positively identified by
Khomieni’s mother, Mira Sawadjaan, who witnessed the incident.
Joint Task Force Comet chief Maj. Gen.
Juancho Sabban said the arrest of Jundam is another feat against
the Abu Sayyaf. "We uphold the people’s steadfast stance against
the employment of illegal and deadly explosives as one of the
acts of terrorism," he said.
"This accomplishment indicates the trust and
confidence bestowed to us by the peace-loving people of Sulu.
The ASG’s complete downfall is imperative for our people to
fully enjoy their rights to lasting peace," Sabban said. –
Victor Reyes
