SECURITY forces arrested on Saturday four more suspected members of the Dawla Islamiya Fi Cotabato-Maute Group who are believed to have been involved in the Sept. 2 Davao City bomb blast that killed 15 people and wounded 70 others.
Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the arrests took place at the Southern Philippine Development Authority Compound in Barangay Tamontaka, and along Ilang-Ilang St., Barangay Rosary Heights 7, both in Cotabato City.
Hao identified the suspects as Lalaog Chenikandiyil alias Datu Boi; Jackson Mangulamas Usi alias Abu Mansor/Jam; Zack Villanueva Lopez alias Haron; and Ansan Abdulla Mamasapano alias Abu Hamsa.
Hao said the arrests were made by virtue of a search warrant for illegal firearms issued by Executive Judge Banzawan Ibrahim of Branch 13 of the 12th Judicial Region Cotabato Regional Trial Court upon information provided by a tipster.
The information was verified by follow-up operations made after the arrest last Oct. 4 of the three suspects in the Davao City bombing incident, namely, TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Factural, and Musaili Mustapha.
The four are believed to be among more than a dozen suspects in the bomb explosion that ripped through a night market in Davao City.
“We will not stop until all involved in the Davao bombing incident last September are put in jail,” Army commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año said.
“The Army will continue hunting other terrorists for the protection of the public and to serve justice.”
The four arrested suspects have been turned over to the local police to facilitate legal procedures.