Egyptian 'explosive expert' not our member - MILF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Friday said that an Egyptian national who was arrested on suspicion of having ties with al-Qaeda is not a member of the separatist group. Radio reports quoted MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu as denying even knowing Mohamad Said, who was arrested early Wednesday morning after police found a number of explosive devices and bomb-making materials inside his apartment in Cotabato City. Kabalu also said they have no idea how Said, known by his aliases Mohamad Sayed and Abu Hussien, got a hold of a copy of the MILF booklet that police recovered from him. Aside from the booklet, several explosive devices were also confiscated from the Egyptian national. But Said denied owning any of the seized items. He is currently being subjected to a tactical investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Police, reports said. Police also said they have yet to determine whether Said has any links to the Jema’ah Islamiyah, the al-Qaeda arm in Southeast Asia. Said reportedly told investigators that he previously stayed in the country for two years before going back to his homeland. He also claimed that when the arrest happened, he has just gone back from Egypt to teach Islam in Cotabato City. - GMANews.TV