2018 GenSan bombing suspect captured at NAIA

A joint law enforcement operation led to the arrest Wednesday of a suspected member of a local terror group linked to a 2018 bombing in General Santos City as he arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Reports said that the 37-year-old suspect, an alleged member of a Dawlah Islamiyah-affiliated group, was apprehended at Terminal 1 after arriving on a flight from Los Angeles. The arrest was a coordinated effort between the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group, the PNP Intelligence Group, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The suspect was wanted on multiple counts of frustrated murder under a warrant issued by the General Santos City Regional Trial Court, Branch 23. Authorities identified him as a participant in an improvised explosive device attack on a commercial area nearly eight years ago.

That explosion injured eight people, including a 3-year-old child.

“The capture of the suspect at our nation’s gateway proves that there is no hiding from the law,” PNP chief police general Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. “This arrest is a major step in giving justice to the victims of the 2018 GenSan bombing.”

Nartatez clarified that while the arrest is significant, it does not indicate a resurgence of the terror group’s strength. He emphasized that there is no imminent threat to General Santos City, but noted that intelligence operations remain continuous.

The PNP chief added that the operation follows directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to prevent a return of terrorist activities and ensure public safety.

“What it shows is that law enforcement remains vigilant,” Nartatez said. “If there are remaining elements, we are actively tracking them.”

Following standard protocol, the suspect was turned over to the NBI for legal proceedings. Nartatez urged the public to remain calm and go about their normal activities, saying that units have been directed to enhance visibility patrols and coordination as a precautionary measure.