No bail for QC bus bomb suspect

A state prosecutor refused yesterday to grant bail to a principal suspect in the bomb blast that ripped through a bus in Balintawak, Quezon City last Oct. 18 that left two people dead and at least 19 others wounded.

In recommending no bail for the suspect, Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Pedro Catral said there was probable cause to indict Jerry Minalang, 37, from Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao and now residing in Libis, Quezon City.

Minalang faces charges of double murder and frustrated murder filed by the police with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

During the preliminary investigation of the case, agents of the Central Police District presented three witnesses who tagged Minalang as the probable perpetrator of the bombing.

Two of the witnesses — Julius Sayson and Jocelyn Cruz — said they saw Minalang hurriedly getting off the bus shortly before the explosion.

Another woman witness who was not identified asserted that she also saw the suspect using his cellular phone after taking a seat in the bus.

"We got hold of this witness who said the accused was holding a cellphone when he got off the bus, and moments later, the explosion took place," SPO1 Rafael de Peralta said.

Minalang was apprehended by members of the Western Police District last Oct. 28 for alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The authorities have said cellular phones could be used to set off time bombs.

For his part, Minalang claimed he was tortured by the police to force him to admit the bombing.