4 suspects in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat blast nabbed — military

Government security forces apprehended four suspects, including a Swedish national, in the blast that rocked a public market in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat early this month, a military regional spokesperson said Tuesday.

In a statement, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Arvin Encinas identified the suspects as:  Hassan Akgun, a Swedish national; Abedin Camsa, Normia Camsa, and Norshiya Camsa.

Encinas said the four were nabbed Monday following an operation at Sitio Nakan in Barangay Kapaya, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.

Seized during the operation were: 

• one M-16 rifle with magazine containing 27 ammunition
• 1 caliber .45 colt with magazine containing 11 ammunition;
• 1 caliber .38 revolver
• 1 shotgun
• 1 improvised explosive device
• 13 cellular phones
• 2 gallons powdered substance
• 2 machine timers
• 4 9-bolts battery
• 1 yellow bulb
• 1 switch
• and a backpack containing an ISIS flag, 3 led bulbs, 2 USBs, 1 resistor, and 5 assorted wires

In the same statement, Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana commended the operating troops and policemen for the apprehension of the suspects.

“Let us remain vigilant for there are still enemies out there who will always try to inflict havoc in the communities,” Sobejana said.

The suspects and the seized items were brought to the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office for documentation and filing of appropriate charges, the statement said.

The blast resulted in the wounding of seven people.  Authorities earlier eyed extortion as possible motive for the incident although they also did not rule out terrorism as well. — RSJ, GMA News