17 years after the deadly bus terminal bombing in Kidapawan, Cotabato, a member of the Abu Sayyaf who is linked to the incident has been caught by authorities.
The suspect Abdurahman Mataud Daiyung was caught in a joint operation by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Philippine military on Sunday in Ermita, Manila, GMA News reported. However, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde only announced it to the public earlier today.
He was caught at around 9:45am, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Also known as “Biznar Salabudin” and “Abu Talha,” Daiyung is a suspect in the October 2002 bus terminal bombing in Kidapawan City. The incident killed seven people and wounded 24 others.
He is also linked to the 2001 kidnapping of 15 people who worked in the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan, reports state.
Daiyung was a member of Isnilon Hapilon’s group, the late former leader of the Jihadist militant group Abu Sayyaf who had links with ISIS.
Daiyung has been in Manila for a few months and was working as a welder before getting caught, NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said, according to ABS-CBN News. One of Daiyung’s cohorts was also captured in December.
Eleazar assured that there is currently no threat of terrorism in Metro Manila, Radyo Inquirer reported.
Metro Manila police have been on heightened alert ever since the deadly cathedral bombing in Jolo, Sulu late last month. This has pushed the metro’s trains to ban bottled drinks and other liquids from entering train stations.
