Cops tag Maute group member as mastermind in Leyte town plaza blast

PALO, Leyte, Feb. 24 (PNA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tagged a Muslim convert and Maute group member as mastermind in the Dec. 28, 2016 Hilongos, Leyte town plaza bombing that injured 35 people.

The PNP-Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) identified the suspect as Jake Anthony Macuto, 26, a “Balik Islam” convert who has been conducting preaching activities in Dolores, Eastern Samar since 2015.

PNP filed on Feb. 22, 2017 multiple frustrated murder charges before the Office of the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor in Hilongos town against Macuto and three John Does.

The three were seen by some witnesses accompanying Macuto hours before the explosion.

Police deputy regional director for operations Sr. Supt. Allan Cuevillas, SITG Commander said Macuto is also one of the suspects in planting an improvised explosive device outside the US Embassy last year.

Cuevillas said the information provided by the Muslim community in Hilongos town helped in their investigation and identification of suspects.

“This also helps in ending speculations that members of Muslim community in Hilongos are involved in the bombing incident,” Cuevillas added.

The official hopes that more witnesses will come out after the filing of charges against the suspects.

Muslim extremist group have been using “Balik Islam” convert in their terroristic activities since they could easily mingle with other people. Their physical appearances and way of speaking are not traceable to being a Muslim, according to the police.

Cuevillas added that they are now waiting for the court to issue a warrant of arrest against Macuto so they could release his pictures to media for people to help in identifying his present location.

With this development, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said they are monitoring activities of “Balik Islam” converts in the region.

“Based on our intelligence report, Muslim communities in the region are not involved in terroristic act, but there are “Balik Islam” who have the tendency to become members of Maute because they are more aggressive than other Islam believers,” said Beltejar.

Over 1,000 people were watching the boxing match at the town plaza when the first bomb hidden under the water tank exploded at 9 p.m. A few minutes later, the second bomb hidden near the stage exploded, but it didn’t cause much damage because the bomb’s blasting cap failed to open.

As people ran in different directions, even bumping against the wall at the plaza, 32 people, mostly children and farmers were sprawled on the floor..

President Rodrigo Duterte visited the blast victims at the Hilongos District Hospital and gave cash assistance of PHP5,000. The mayor’s office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Red Cross also extended assistance to the 32 victims.(PNA)
FPV/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA & VICKY C. ARNAIZ