Guns, IEDs

Cop's home in Malaybalay Bohol apartment searched

JUST days after the arrest of Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory 11 Deputy Maria Christina Nobleza, high powered rifles, explosives, and subversive documents were seized from her residence in Bukidnon, while components of an improvised explosive device were found in the apartment unit rented by Nobleza and Abu Sayyaf suspect Dongon in Panglao Island, Bohol.

In a spot report from the Oplan Paglalansag Omega (OTBT), the detectives of

the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 10 along with other law enforcement officers implemented the search and seizure warrant no. 14-17

The warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch No. 9 under Judge Ma. Theresa Aban-Camanong in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Monday, April 24.

During the clearing operation, the police recovered one unit of M16 rifle along with seven magazines, a loaded caliber .45 pistol with seven cartridges, 218 cartridges and one bandolier for M16 rifle, a timer that can be used as a bomb component, an explosive improvised device, one set of soldering iron, 66 non-electronic blasting caps, a nine voltage battery, tester, and assorted subversive documents on terrorist activities were found.

Earlier yesterday, Police Regional Director-Central Visayas Noli Taliño escorted Nobleza and Abu Sayyaf group member Renierlo "Kurdi" Dongon to Camp Crame via a commercial flight from Tagbilaran City in Bohol at 9:10 a.m.

Both Dongon and Nobleza, a deputy chief of the crime laboratory assigned in Davao City, are considered high-risk personalities for having ties with the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Taliño confirmed that operatives recovered components of an improvised explosive device inside an apartment allegedly rented by Nobleza and Dongon in Panglao Island on Monday night, April 24.

Paulino Apduhan, the apartment owner, turned over to the police a C-4 plastic explosive, detonating cord, blasting cap, and blasting cap kit.

Investigation showed Nobleza and Dongon arrived in Panglao Island last April 17, two days before the trade ministers meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and five days after the gunfight between government troopers and ASG members in Inabanga, Bohol.

Taliño said the focus of their investigation is to establish the purpose in possessing the explosive device components.

Meanwhile, The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) further tightened their security measures against terrorists through the strict background monitoring of its 2,083 personnel.

"After the incident with Nobleza, we were alerted by acting Davao City Police Office chief Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum to conduct strict background check among all our personnel," she said.

The duo along with another woman were arrested on Saturday night, April 22, after they tried to evade a police checkpoint in Clarin, Bohol.