Charges of illegal possession of explosives were filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against Abdulrahman Samuel, alias Aladin, 29; Juher Ibrahim, alias Ter, 22; and Majahid Guiamelon, alias Mogs, 21, all residents of Maguindanao.

The three had a pending warrant of arrest issued by the Sarangani regional trial court in September 2008 for “murder, destructive arson, arson and robbery with violence.”

They allegedly belonged to the terror cell of Abdulbasit Usman, a bomb expert linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf who has been tagged in a series of bombings in Mindanao.

CIDG operatives arrested the three suspects at the Maharlika Village in Taguig City after midnight last Wednesday.

Seized from them were three pineapple-type grenades, three blasting caps, a booster, and two detonating cords.

Escorted by CIDG men and a public attorney, the three suspects were presented to the DOJ for inquest.

PO1 Ringo Medalla, arresting officer and investigator, told reporters that the suspects admitted during interrogation that they have links to the JI.

But when asked by media, the three claimed they are not Abu Sayyaf members, saying they were former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who have moved to Metro Manila for a new life.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Romeo Brawner said their arrest thwarted an Abu Sayyaf plot “to do some bombings in Metro Manila.” -- Sun.Star