3rd suspect in Manila bomb try nabbed through social media | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
3rd suspect in Manila bomb try nabbed through social media
3rd suspect in Manila bomb try nabbed through social media
Jamaine Punzalan,
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 07, 2016 11:58 AM PHT
|
Updated Dec 07, 2016 01:22 PM PHT

Suspect an x-ray technician in Bulacan
Suspect an x-ray technician in Bulacan
MANILA - A third suspect in the botched bomb attack near the US Embassy last week was arrested through clues from his online activity, police confirmed Wednesday.
MANILA - A third suspect in the botched bomb attack near the US Embassy last week was arrested through clues from his online activity, police confirmed Wednesday.
Manila Police District chief Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said police confirmed intelligence information that suspect Mohammad Umao-as was hiding in Bulacan province by checking his Facebook account.
Manila Police District chief Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said police confirmed intelligence information that suspect Mohammad Umao-as was hiding in Bulacan province by checking his Facebook account.
"Part of the investigation we made is checking social media. We know that they are using Facebook and other platforms to disseminate their information. That is why we are very fortunate that he is registered as a user so that is why we can verify his status," Coronel said.
"Part of the investigation we made is checking social media. We know that they are using Facebook and other platforms to disseminate their information. That is why we are very fortunate that he is registered as a user so that is why we can verify his status," Coronel said.
Humao-as, an x-ray technician, was nabbed Saturday when he returned to a hospital in Santa Ana, Bulacan town to collect his things so he could flee to a more distant province.
Humao-as, an x-ray technician, was nabbed Saturday when he returned to a hospital in Santa Ana, Bulacan town to collect his things so he could flee to a more distant province.
ADVERTISEMENT
Before this, Humao-as' name had also cropped up among persons of interest with alleged links to the Ansar Al Khalifa, an alliance of terror organizations including the Maute terror group, Coronel said.
Before this, Humao-as' name had also cropped up among persons of interest with alleged links to the Ansar Al Khalifa, an alliance of terror organizations including the Maute terror group, Coronel said.
Authorities earlier linked Maute terrorists to the deadly blast in Davao City last October 28, as well as the foiled bombing in Roxas Boulevard last November 28.
Authorities earlier linked Maute terrorists to the deadly blast in Davao City last October 28, as well as the foiled bombing in Roxas Boulevard last November 28.
Coronel said Humao-as' Facebook account shows he has ties to individuals with alleged terror links in southern Mindanao.
Coronel said Humao-as' Facebook account shows he has ties to individuals with alleged terror links in southern Mindanao.
A hand grenade and caliber. 45 firearm were recovered from the suspect.
A hand grenade and caliber. 45 firearm were recovered from the suspect.
CCTV CLIPS FROM LUNETA
National Capital Region Police Office Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said Humao-as and two cohorts initially wanted to mount their terror attack in Luneta Park and not Roxas Boulevard.
National Capital Region Police Office Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said Humao-as and two cohorts initially wanted to mount their terror attack in Luneta Park and not Roxas Boulevard.
CCTV footage shows Humao-as' group conducting surveillance operation at the park on the night of November 27, before proceeding to the direction of Roxas Boulevard, where the bomb was recovered the next day inside a trash bin.
CCTV footage shows Humao-as' group conducting surveillance operation at the park on the night of November 27, before proceeding to the direction of Roxas Boulevard, where the bomb was recovered the next day inside a trash bin.
Two of Humao-as' cohorts were arrested in Bulacan last week, but two other suspects remain at large, possibly in Metro Manila or adjacent provinces, Albayalde said.
Two of Humao-as' cohorts were arrested in Bulacan last week, but two other suspects remain at large, possibly in Metro Manila or adjacent provinces, Albayalde said.
One suspect, Rashid Kilala, has confessed about their terror operations, police said. Albayalde said authorities are conducting follow-up operations based on the document submitted by Kilala.
One suspect, Rashid Kilala, has confessed about their terror operations, police said. Albayalde said authorities are conducting follow-up operations based on the document submitted by Kilala.
'BALIK ISLAM'
Albayalde also mentioned that the suspects were radicalized when they converted to Islam some four years ago.
Albayalde also mentioned that the suspects were radicalized when they converted to Islam some four years ago.
"Itong mga ito, balik-Islam itong mga ito. Before kasing maging convert ka, may mga indoctrination iyan, and then they'll brainwash you. Para kang lumilipat from one religion to another. You have to believe what their religion says," he explained.
"Itong mga ito, balik-Islam itong mga ito. Before kasing maging convert ka, may mga indoctrination iyan, and then they'll brainwash you. Para kang lumilipat from one religion to another. You have to believe what their religion says," he explained.
The botched Manila bombing was the first mission entrusted to Kilala and Humao-as' cell, he said.
The botched Manila bombing was the first mission entrusted to Kilala and Humao-as' cell, he said.
Police remain on full alert, with intensified intelligence gathering and checkpoint operations, in a bid to stop terror attacks.
Police remain on full alert, with intensified intelligence gathering and checkpoint operations, in a bid to stop terror attacks.
Albayalde reminded the public anew to report any suspicious person or activity to the police.
Albayalde reminded the public anew to report any suspicious person or activity to the police.
Read More:
Manila bomb try
Roxas Boulevard bombing
police
PNP
terrorism
Maute
social media
Joel Coronel
Oscar Albayalde
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT