MikeLigalig.com

By Joyce Pangco Pañares
The Manila Standard Today

TAGBILARAN CITYâ€"Police on Wednesday arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf bomber on a ferry in Cebu on his way to Metro Manila with “enough explosives to kill hundreds of people,” an official said yesterday.

Police arrested the man a day before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrived in Bohol Thursday for the first Local Peace and Security Assembly. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales described him as a Muslim in his early 20s.

“I cannot divulge the name yet because the investigation is still ongoing,” Gonzales said.

“We suspect that he is a member of the Abu Sayyaf and he was on his way from Zamboanga to Manila to meet probably some people there to prepare for an attack.”

Gonzales made his statement even as the head of Metro Manila’s military force deployed more than 2,000 soldiersâ€"including sea marshalsâ€"to fight terrorists planning attacks in the metropolis, where both the police and military are on red alert.

“We have deployed about 100 sea marshals [to ride ferry boats],” Maj. Gen. Ben Mohammed Dolorfino said in Manila.

“The spillover [of the conflict in Mindanao to Metro Manila] is always possible as shown by the bombing incidents in the national capital region in the past,” he said.

Gonzalez denied that the man arrested in Cebu had intended to launch his attack here in Bohol, where the President spent the night to deliver her closing remarks for the assembly today.

“He was carrying enough explosives to kill hundreds of people especially if placed in a mallâ€"enough to do maximum damage,” Gonzales said.

The man’s arrest came days after the President urged the public to be vigilant against retaliatory attacks from people sympathizing with the Abu Sayyaf bandits, who continue to suffer heavy casualties in Basilan and Sulu.

The President first went to Basilan before proceeding to Bohol to praise the soldiers who have been fighting the Abu Sayyaf since last month, and who have killed 81 of the bandits while suffering 57 dead.

What the hell is this man doing with such explosives? The military doesnt even need to investigate this man--possession is 9/10ths of the law, this man deserves the firing squad. Ferdinand Marcos style....putang ina yung abu sayaff at yung lahat islamofascist terrorists.

Hoy!!!! buhi paba di-ay ning Abu Sayyaf group?

For how long was the bombers at large? Good that he is now arrested..Minus-minusan the members.

hoy! kakuyaw naba ana oi.. sa una raman na silang pinang bomba wala pa jud na sila pul-i.

here's the bomb suspect

bata pa na siya no? pila man edad ana?

What was in his head?? I mean..what can motivate a man to attack and bomb his own country?? This coward ridden SOB deserves the firing squad.

He is still  a suspect..... as long as it is not yet proven that he was really the bomber then he is subject first for trial and the right penalty, then FIRE!!!!!!

Quote from: Bambi on August 25, 2007, 01:37:34 PM
He is still  a suspect..... as long as it is not yet proven that he was really the bomber then he is subject first for trial and the right penalty, then FIRE!!!!!!

God bless you for being so civil, pare. Kai bao ka--i told my parents about this--and mao jud na gi ingoon nila sa nako--'batan-oon pa man na siya, sus maria josep'. Possession is 9/10ths of the law, diba? My only question is that--why on earth--did he have that much explosives for?

Hadloka man jud ni---kai bao ka--im thinking about not visiting bohol next year kai dili naman jud safe..

Hi Pare.... don't be afraid.... our ancestors are Dagohoy, Sikatuna, Tamblot and the latest Pres. Garcia. We have this very courageous and strong blood...

uli.... oi! our presence as BB from TB helps much for our economic progress.  Thru this site..... i have learned lot of negative reports but it hinders me not to fly this coming Pasko.  i am home every year and my husband loves and likes Bohol very much. 

Pare, the rebels will not be less because you got the fear of visiting but the good Bol-anons, friends,and your relatives will miss u and that am sure.

Rebels are everywhere!