Army arrests alleged JI operative in ComVal

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged terrorist linked to the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jema’ah Islamiyah (JI) has been arrested by authorities in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley. Interviewed by reporters, Maj. General Mapagu, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said suspect Jovanie de Guzman was collared around 4 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Napnapan Pantukan town. De Guzman was part of a five-man group that earlier figured the troops in a brief encounter. He was however the only one who was captured. The suspect yielded several firearms including a grenade launcher, five 40mm mortar rounds, four improvised explosive devices made from 81 mm mortars, one Motorola ICOM radio, wires and improvised firing mechanism, and assorted bomb parts and paraphernalia. Mapagu said De Guzman has confessed that he is an instructor for making bombs, but authorities are still verifying his claim. "So we are checking and then depending on the results of the investigation, ‘yung [the] tactical interrogation, ‘yung [the] custodial debriefing, we are going to come up with some actions but definitely he [De Guzman] will be charged in court for the illegal possession of firearms and explosives," said Magapu. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV