Police nab 2 suspects in slay try on Sulu governor

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two suspected terrorists linked to the failed assassination of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan last week have been arrested, police said on Wednesday. Juhan Alimuddin and Sulayman Muin were captured after a weeklong surveillance in the village of Badjao in Patikul, Sulu late Tuesday, said provincial police director Superintendent Muhibuddin Amil Ismail. Two other suspects managed to escape, he said. Ismail said hand guns and a grenade were found in the possession of Alimuddin and Muin, who are believed to be local members of the Indonesia-bred terrorist group Jemaah Islamiya. Alimuddin and Muin were tagged as among those who bombed the convoy of Governor Tan in Patikul town on May 13. Tan was unscathed in the assassination attempt, which injured Pandami municipal mayor Hatta Berto and nine others, including including two Army integrees, five police personnel, and two civilians Tan just came out of his office and was on his way home when a motorcycle rigged with a bomb exploded near his vehicle. The attack was condemned by many civil groups in Sulu. On May 13, an explosive device went off in front of the Sulu provincial hall, moments after Tan had left the area. At least 10 people including two Army integrees, five police personnel, and two civilians, emerged hurt. Ismail said the capture of the two suspects were provided by civilian informants. “Citizens are themselves providing us information about the terrorists and the operation in going on to get the other suspects," he said. The two suspects are to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Manila, Ismail said. PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa last week announced a P500,000 bounty for the capture Tan’s attackers.No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed the governor’s declaration of an “all-out war" against Abu Sayyaf bandits holding Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni. Vagni and two other workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross were abducted by gunmen in Patikul last January after they inspected a jail facility. The two others have been released separately but the gunmen are still holding on to Vagni. - with Mark Merueňas, GMANews.TV