ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 20 Sept) A government militia shot dead a ferry cargo inspector implicated in the smuggling of a ton of chemical used in the manufacture of explosive after the man ran amuck, wounding his pregnant wife and two children and a neighbor in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, police said Wednesday.
Police said Melchor Caballes was killed late Tuesday after he was shot three times in Mampang village, where he earlier attacked with a sword his wife Marilou, who is seven months pregnant; and two children. A neighbor who tried to rescue the victims was also hacked by Caballes.
The man was under police investigation after security forces seized Monday 20 bags containing the chemical ammonium nitrate chemical hidden at the cargo bay of the boat M/L Katrina which arrived here from Jolo island.
"He attacked everyone he saw in the village without apparent reason," a witness, Victor Dagalea, said.
Neighbors said they heard Caballes and his wife arguing inside the thatched hut and later the woman was pleading for help, saying, she was being attacked. "We were scared so we ran to seek for help. We saw Caballes armed with a bolo and was trying to attack his neighbors," one woman said.
Another neighbor said a patrolling militia tried to rescue the wounded and ordered Caballes to lay down his weapon and surrender peacefully, but he refused. "Caballes tried to attack the militia, but was felled by bullets," his neighbor said.
Police said it is still investigating the incident, but authorities suspect Caballes could upset about his involvement in the smuggling of the chemical.
Caballes and four policemen escorting the boat were held for questioning on Monday in connection with the chemical cargo. Major Frank Clavecillas, commander of the port police in Zamboanga City, said Caballes tried to escape several times by jumping off the boat after the chemical was discovered.
Police freed Caballes late Tuesday and returned home.
Clavecillas said they suspect the chemical was intended for the Abu Sayyaf, which could be plotting to bomb Zamboanga City during the celebration of the Fiesta Pilar next month.
"We have intelligence report that the cargo is intended for the Abu Sayyaf group which is planning to bomb civilian targets next month in time for the celebration of the Fiesta Pilar in Zamboanga City," he said.
Fiesta Pilar is one of the biggest Christian celebration held every October 12 in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Police said Melchor Caballes was killed late Tuesday after he was shot three times in Mampang village, where he earlier attacked with a sword his wife Marilou, who is seven months pregnant; and two children. A neighbor who tried to rescue the victims was also hacked by Caballes.
The man was under police investigation after security forces seized Monday 20 bags containing the chemical ammonium nitrate chemical hidden at the cargo bay of the boat M/L Katrina which arrived here from Jolo island.
"He attacked everyone he saw in the village without apparent reason," a witness, Victor Dagalea, said.
Neighbors said they heard Caballes and his wife arguing inside the thatched hut and later the woman was pleading for help, saying, she was being attacked. "We were scared so we ran to seek for help. We saw Caballes armed with a bolo and was trying to attack his neighbors," one woman said.
Another neighbor said a patrolling militia tried to rescue the wounded and ordered Caballes to lay down his weapon and surrender peacefully, but he refused. "Caballes tried to attack the militia, but was felled by bullets," his neighbor said.
Police said it is still investigating the incident, but authorities suspect Caballes could upset about his involvement in the smuggling of the chemical.
Caballes and four policemen escorting the boat were held for questioning on Monday in connection with the chemical cargo. Major Frank Clavecillas, commander of the port police in Zamboanga City, said Caballes tried to escape several times by jumping off the boat after the chemical was discovered.
Police freed Caballes late Tuesday and returned home.
Clavecillas said they suspect the chemical was intended for the Abu Sayyaf, which could be plotting to bomb Zamboanga City during the celebration of the Fiesta Pilar next month.
"We have intelligence report that the cargo is intended for the Abu Sayyaf group which is planning to bomb civilian targets next month in time for the celebration of the Fiesta Pilar in Zamboanga City," he said.
Fiesta Pilar is one of the biggest Christian celebration held every October 12 in honor of the Virgin Mary.
1 comment:
Great stop. Great job. Another hero.
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