Suspected MILF bomber nabbed in Maguindanao - military

A suspected Moro rebel tagged in the bombing of a public market in General Santos City six years ago has been arrested in Maguindanao early this week, a military official said on Thursday. Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the suspect as Datu Mama Abpa, alias Datu Mama and Dats, who has a P600,000 reward for his capture. Asto said Abpa is an “elite force member" of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Abpa was nabbed by joint forces of the Army, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency around 1 p.m. last Tuesday at General Salipada K. Pendatun town by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by General Santos City Judge Antonio Lubao. The suspect is facing multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges in connection with the Dec. 12, 2004 bombing at the General Santos City public market that resulted in the deaths of 16 people and wounding of many others. The arrest of Abpa came five days after MILF committee on information deputy chief Khaled Musa protested the government's continued arrest of their members even when there is a standing ceasefire between them and government forces. Efforts are underway to revive the stalled peace negotiations between the government and the MILF. - KBK, GMANews.TV