Alleged mastermind in 2 Cotabato bus attacks nabbed

Government forces on Monday arrested in Kidapawan City the alleged mastermind in the January 27 bombing of a Yellow Bus Line in North Cotabato and the June 3 burning of another YBL bus also in North Cotabato.

Four people were killed in the two bus attacks while

Ali Akbar was arrested 5 a.m. at Purok 3 in Barangay East Patadon, Kidapawan City, according to the Joint Task Force Central. His warrant of arrest says Akbar is facing double murder and multiple frustrated murder charges.

The warrant was issued by Branch 23 of Regional Trial Court, 12th Judicial Region, the task force said.

Brigadier General Roberto Capulong, commander of 602nd Infantry Brigade, described Akbar as a "bomb and improvised explosive device (IED) expert and an extortionist belonging to the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan Group."

Seized from the suspect were two IEDs, one blasting cap, several IED components, and an ISIS flag.

It can be recalled that a bomb went off beside the Yellow Bus Line unit on Jan. 27, 2021, at Tulunan, North Cotabato, wherein a fruit vendor died while three other victims were injured.

Similarly, another unit of YBL was burned in M’Lang, North Cotabato on June 3, 2021, killing three passengers who were trapped inside. --KBK, GMA News