Philippine troops capture suspected Muslim bomber in south

COTABATO CITY, Philippines, Nov. 2 -- Philippine security forces have captured a suspected Muslim rebel bomber linked to several attacks in the region, a government official said on Tuesday.

Andaman Mukidin Binago, 35, also known Danny Binago, was arrested by elements of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday at a lodging house in the city of Davao, Noel Morales, NBI- Sarangani District Office chief.

Morales said Tuesday that Binago was involved in the December 12, 2004 bombing at the meat section of General Santos public market that killed 14 people and injured more than 30 others. He was also among the suspects in a bomb explosion on January 10, 2007 in front of a lotto outlet along Santiago Boulevard in General Santos that left six people dead and more than 30 people wounded.

"He (Binago) was identified by his colleague who was arrested earlier. Our records showed that he is a high ranking leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front special operations group and the mastermind of several bomb attacks here and the neighboring areas, " he said.

Binago, however, denied his link with the Muslim separatist group.

"I'm just an ordinary farmer and I don't know anything about those accusations," Binago said in a radio interview.

MILF Spokesman Von Al Haq said Binago is nota member of their organization. 

 

Xinhua